Jimmer Fredette On Phoenix Suns Signing: “I’m Grateful For The Opportunity”

Jimmer Fredette was a college basketball legend, becoming one of the best scorers in NCAA history and winning National College Player of the Year honors in 2011. That same year, Fredette was taken 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings, although Fredette’s NBA career quickly fizzled out. After stints in the G-League and China, Fredette has found himself back in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns announced last week that they signed Fredette to a two-year contract with a team option in the second year. The 30-year-old was interviewed for the team’s website, where he explained how happy he is to be given this second chance.

“Not a lot of times do guys get second chances or second opportunities, especially at 30 years old,” Fredette explained. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and I realize that. I’m not going to take anything for granted. I’m going to go out there and play hard every day, practice hard and just help our team as much as I possibly can.”

Fredette then spoke positively about his experience playing in China for the Shanghai Sharks. Fredette once dropped 73 points in a game for the Sharks, with his offensive prowess being a reason why the Suns signed him.

“It was a lot of fun,” Fredette said. “It was different experience for sure. I never thought that I would ever go over to China for any reason. Then to be able to go over there and play basketball, embracing the culture. Shanghai is an amazing city. The fans were so nice to my family and to myself and just treated us as their own. I’m extremely grateful to the Sharks for that opportunity. It’s definitely a different type of basketball and a different type of living, but I had a great experience.”

Fredette will be joining a Suns team that has struggled this season and are ranked last in the Western Conference.