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BYU Basketball: The Top 10 Cougars in NBA Draft history

By Shaun Gordon

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Jimmer Fredette from BYU greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was selected #10 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: Jimmer Fredette from BYU greets NBA Commissioner David Stern after he was selected #10 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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4. Jimmer Fredette

The only BYU player to earn one-name status.

The player that sparked interest in BYU Basketball worldwide.

One of the Cougars’ two Wooden Award winners.

When arguing who is the most successful college basketball player in BYU history, the list will ultimately get whittled down to two names. One of them is Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette excelled at BYU, building his game as each season progressed. He had a stellar junior season in 2009-10, earning Third Team All-American honors.

Then he had arguably the greatest individual season in BYU history as a senior. He averaged 28.9 points and 4.3 assists per game, leading the Cougars to the Sweet Sixteen and a Top 10 national ranking at the end of the season. For his efforts, he earned consensus First Team All-American honors, as well as the Wooden Award the ESPY for the Best Male Collegiate Athlete.

The Milwaukee Bucks took Jimmer with the 10th pick in the draft, but sent him to Sacramento in draft day trade.

He played three seasons with the Kings, before spending the next two years between the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and New York Knicks, with a stop in the NBA D-League.

Jimmer never found a role on any of those teams, finally heading to China, where he’s spent the last two seasons.

He’s become a superstar in China, averaging more than 35 points in both seasons, earning two All-Star selections and the 2017 CBA MVP.

In his five NBA seasons, Fredette has averaged 6 points and 1.4 assists per game. Those stats may not be final, though, as he’s eyeing a possible return to the NBA.

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