Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Former BYU Cougar and current Sacramento King, Jimmer Fredette didn't exactly have the NBA rookie season in the NBA most people expected.
Jimmer's first year in the pros was marred by a coaching change, inconsistent minutes and a system that didn't seem to fit his skill-set. During the 2011-2012 NBA season, Fredette averaged eight points and two assists in just 19 minutes per game, while shooting only 39% from the field and 36% from behind the three-point line. Those stats were a far cry from the 29 points he averaged during his senior season in Provo, one that ended with Fredette being named college basketball's Player of the Year.
As disappointing as Jimmer's rookie season was, the offseason meant a fresh start and a chance to move forward. The Sacramento Kings are one of 23 NBA teams participating in the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League. Sin City was going to be the place for Jimmer to showcase his skills and show why he was so highly coveted coming out of BYU.
Kings officials were very public about how they wanted to turn the reigns of the team over to Jimmer during summer league, just to see how he handles it. Sacramento assistant coach Bobby Jackson told the media, "He's going to have the ball in his hands at the end of games and in game situations. He's got to learn how to make calls, who's hot and who's not. That's a big part of being a point guard."
Things didn't go well for Fredette in the Kings first summer league game. Sacramento lost by 34 and Jimmer finished with seven points on 2 of 11 shooting, including 0-for-8 from three. Fredette improved in game two, scoring 15; but it wasn't until game three that Jimmer really found his groove. The Kings faced Houston on Monday and Jimmer was feeling it. Fredette had 19 points at halftime and ended the game with 30, in a loss to the Rockets. Through three games, Jimmer is averaging 17 points, while shooting 34% from the field (15-for-43).
As if things weren't complicated enough for the Glens Falls, NY native, the Kings announced on Monday that they had agreed to a multi-year contract with free agent point guard Aaron Brooks. The signing of Brooks, and the development of second year guard Isaiah Thomas, certainly clouds the future of Fredette in Sacramento.
Jimmer was asked after Monday's game if he planned to talk to the organization about his role, given the fact he appears to be behind Brooks and Thomas on the depth chart. Fredette said, "I'm sure they'll tell me at some point, so we'll cross it when it comes. Not too worried about it right now, just worried about getting better."
I'm glad it doesn't seem to be bothering him, but I'm dying to know the answers. Since I'm so impatient, I decided to catch up with James Ham from Cowbell Kingdom, a Sacramento Kings blog, to find out what the future holds for Jimmer in Sactown.
You can hear my interview with James by clicking on the link at the left side of the page.
