Former Sacramento Kings’ guard Jimmer Fredette is currently having a great success with Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging some crazy numbers that include 38.0 points per game. Still, Fredette, who was the 10th overall pick in 2015, is looking towards the United States and wants to get another chance in the NBA.
“I want to have another opportunity in the NBA because there is some unfinished business for me there,” – Fredette told Bryan Kalbrosky of Hoopshype. “After this [Chinese] season is over, I want another NBA chance. This time, I’ll succeed. I feel really good about how I am playing. I know that if I get a chance, I will take advantage of it and be successful and help a team win.”
“I know what it takes to win and I’ve helped lead teams to winning cultures.” – he added. “I want to be a part of a winning culture. I’m going to help the young guys get better. I can be a great fit on the locker room and on the floor at a high level. There are certain times when I was younger, I was occasionally more passive. This time, when I get that chance, if I get it, they’ll know that I will do whatever I can to help my team win.“
Jimmer Fredette received a couple of chances from NBA teams in the past, but he didn’t capitalize on them. After being named 2011 National Player of the Year in college basketball, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Kings on the draft night. Although Fredette was a highly regarded prospect entering the league, he couldn’t adapt to the NBA style of basketball and struggled to be productive on the court.
Kings gave up on him after three years, and he went on to play for Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and New York Knicks, before deciding to try his luck overseas.
Fredette joined Shanghai Sharks in 2016 and ended up winning the International MVP award in his first year while leading the CBA in scoring.
