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LEHI — Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette just completed a surreal week. Now he's back in Utah giving some pointers to local kids.
Jimmer's crazy week started on Wednesday night in Los Angeles where he received an ESPY award for Best Male College Athlete. He found himself surrounded by the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
"There are so many people I met at the ESPYs," Jimmer recalled Tuesday. "I met Jason Kidd, I met Aaron Rodgers, Justin Timberlake. I mean, the list goes on: John Elway, Ray Ramano, 'Kevin' from 'The Office.' It doesn't matter who you're taking about, they are all there."
After the ESPYs, it was off to Lake Tahoe for the American Century celebrity golf tournament. Jimmer finished last, but he had a lot of fun playing a round with Charles Barkley and getting to meet more big names in sports.
"John Smoltz, the great pitcher, he came up to me took off his hat and said, 'Can I have your autograph?' I was like, 'Oh my, I should be asking you for your autograph,'" Jimmer said. "It's definitely weird, but it's a great position for me to be in and I'm very fortunate."
While his new-found fame has been a little "weird" for him, Jimmer says he is very impressed by the way he was treated by all the famous people at both events.
"It's unbelievable that they come up to you and they know your name. They're like ‘Jimmer, we really appreciate what you've done. I've been a big fan.' They take you in as one of their own. It's a lot of fun," Jimmer said.
After a week of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous Jimmer came back to Utah, to the place he is most comfortable: in a gym. He is holding his own shooting camp this week at the XSI Factory in Lehi.
Jimmer said he loves the opportunity to help share what he knows about the game of basketball with kids.
"That's what it's all about." he said. "I'm in a position to help kids out now and be a role model, and that's exactly what I want to do. I want to go out and show them the path that I kinda paved for them and hopefully they can follow in those footsteps and reach their dreams just like I have."
"Jimmer Camp for Shooters" runes through July 22. CLICK HERE for more information.
Email: jjensen@ksl.com
