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PROVO -- College football season is just three weeks in, so college basketball is kind of on the back burners, not to mention the fact that the NBA is nowhere near coming to an agreement so no pro ball in the foreseeable future. But don't worry you can get both your basketball fix and add a dose of Jimmer-mania because Provo's favorite son Jimmer Fredette is back in town and has brought a few friends with him, seven of which are first round NBA draft picks.
All of the players, along with coaches Dave Rose (BYU) and Steve Fisher (SDSU), are excited to play again and expect an exciting, fast paced up-and-down style of game. Coach Fisher and Kawhi Leonard are looking to finally get a win in Provo.
"No disrespect to the Chamber of Commerce of Provo, but I have never had fun here," said Coach Fisher, "and Coach Rose and Jimmer are the big reason behind that."
Rose is looking forward to being able to coach so many good players and he wants to win just like always. "Usually when we have great players come to town it is in the middle of the season and I am not as relaxed as I am right now." Rose added "It was a really great day to have great players in our gym to compete and to play."
Among the first round picks in this years' NBA draft who is in town this week is Kawhi Leonard, who had a similar feeling as his former coach and said he did not like the fact that he never won here in Provo, but at the same time he was excited to be able to play again and to face off against Jimmer again. He did not think he would ever return to the Marriot Center and was looking forward to playing basketball with someone other than himself.
Kemba Walker, who won a national championship with the University of Connecticut and competed against Jimmer for National Player of the Year awards, was hoping to steal one from Jimmer's home. He said he was thankful to the fans here in Utah.
"I expected everyone to give me a hard time but people were writing me on Twitter saying they were looking forward to seeing me play." He, like Fisher and Leonard, wants to win one in the Marriot center against Jimmer.
Isaiah Thomas, future teammate with Jimmer on the Sacramento Kings, was also glad to be in town to be able to play ball and to see that the other future NBA players were going through the same things he was going through.
"I am just blessed to be a part of an event like this and to be around these guys that are going through the same things that I am going through." Thomas said. "Hopefully the event turns out well and we come out with the win and we can beat Jimmer's team."
Former Cougar Jackson Emery is just glad to be a part of the all-star game and looks forward to being able to play with Jimmer again and to be able to play against Walker and Leonard. He said it was going to be a challenge to guard a player like Walker, but was looking forward to that challenge.
"Kemba is a terrific player and to play against him, or to guard him, is quite the task and I look forward to it," said Emery.
All the players commented on how they are just excited to be able to play competitive basketball again and all looked forward to the Jimmer All-Stars game. It should be a good high scoring game and don't expect much defense to be played, like any typical all-star game.
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