Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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The first clue about what kind of week this is going to be for Jimmer Fredette was when his PR rep said we probably shouldn't shoot our scheduled interview with Jimmer outside, near the lights of Times Square.
Too many people, too many autograph-seekers, too many complications. Even in New York City, where commotion and celebrity are facts of life, Jimmer needs a little peace and quiet where he can find it.
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So it was that Tom Kirkland and I sat down for an exclusive one-on-one (technically, a two-on-one) with Jimmer Fredette Tuesday night at the Westin Times Square--media and player headquarters for this week's NBA Draft.
You can hear the entire interview by pressing the play button in the "Cougar Cuts" box to the right.
You can see the raw flip-cam quality video of the interview in the box below (the high-quality video can be seen later in the Sports/BYU section within ksl.com):
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"An exciting time, obviously," said Jimmer to open the interview. "The dream is coming true."
Thursday night across the river in Newark, New Jersey, Fredette will become the 43rd BYU player to be drafted into the NBA, almost certainly as a lottery pick. Fredette along with 14 other would-be draftees are in New York City and ticketed for the "green room" at the Prudential Center, where those 15 players will sit and wait for their names to be called.
Asked if he ever envisioned the moment he would shake hands onstage with NBA Commissioner David Stern, Fredette said "A little bit, but not really; I just thought about playing in the NBA--the actual playing...I didn't actually think about the draft night, where I'd get in a suit and go shake his hand, but that's going to be something that's extremely, extremely fun and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not many people get to do."
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Fredette wasn't the only NBA player getting acquainted (or re-acquainted, in Jimmer's case) with the bright lights of Manhattan. As we were wrapping up with Fredette and chit-chatting with his family members, Kemba Walker strolled by. Jimmer and Kemba posed for a couple of family photos, joined by Jimmer's brother, TJ, as pictured.
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"My stock increased, going into this draft" said Fredette of the workout and interview process that saw him go through the paces for the Pacers, Knicks, Kings, Suns and Jazz in recent weeks. "I think it went really, really well for me...and I think that all five teams I went to were pretty impressed."
Fredette has previously listed the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz as "1A" and "1B" when asked for a preference of destinations on Thursday night. Commenting on that tonight, Jimmer said "it doesn't matter to me; I'm looking forward to it...just being in the NBA is a dream come true. One of those two spots would be great, but the other spots would be just as great."
Maybe it wasn't a clue--perhaps more of wishful thinking or optimistic courtesy, but after Tom asked Jimmer if he had any words for his fans back in Utah, BYU's alltime scoring leader concluded by saying "thank you again, and maybe I'll be seeing you guys again soon."
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When a national TV audience sees Jimmer on draft night, he will be well-outfitted for the occasion. Fredette said he did some clothes shopping on Tuesday in Manhattan.
"I went to Joseph Abboud and they fitted me; I've got three different suits--really nice suits. I've never had a fitted suit before where it fits me perfectly. So, I've got some stuff for you people out there to see. You'll have to watch the draft in order to see it."
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Wednesday, Fredette and the other draft invitees will have a media availability from 12:30-1:30pm ET, followed by events in the community, as arranged by the NBA. Jimmer and five other players (including Derrick Williams, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight and Kyrie Irving) will be holding a basketball clinic for 60 Special Olympians at John Jay College in New York City, from 2:30-3:30pm ET.
Check back here tomorrow or more from Jimmer, in addition to conversations with his family members and agents as draft day approaches.
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