BYU basketball's 90-86 overtime win against Colorado holds much greater significance in the hearts of the fans in attendance than the final result alone.
On Valentine's Day, the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University played host to the retirement of Jimmer Fredette's number 32 jersey in Provo. Surrounded by the fans who witnessed his 2010-11 season, in which he earned National Player of the Year honors and led the Cougars to a Sweet 16 finish in March.
two of the best to ever do it pic.twitter.com/mIyqAnqARE
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) February 14, 2026
Fredette claimed the attention of the nation with his unique style, pushing the limits of three-point shooting to such a degree that "Jimmer" became a household name throughout the basketball world, not just in the state of Utah.
Kids on the playground used to shout "Jimmer!" as they elevated for an audacious jump shot instead of "Kobe!", and if that's not legacy-defining, then I don't know what is.
32 will hang in the rafters of the Marriott Center forever, but the strongest statement made by Fredette was during an interview with the FS1 broadcast. Sitting behind the scorer's box, Fredette spoke on why BYU remains a significant part of his life, now 15 years removed from his final year as a player in Provo.
"...Me being synonymous with this school means something more to me than just basketball," Fredette shared with the crew. "I'm part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that's being a good person and trying to be someone who's a follower of Christ and bringing people to Christ and being a good example."
He continued on how BYU stands for so much more than basketball.
"That's something that's important to me, and that's something that this institution is definitely all about. I do the best I can and try to treat people the right way and give this institution a good name when I go out on the road and play against all these different people and in all these different countries. It means more than basketball to me."
Fredette remained an ambassador of his faith throughout his professional career and especially today as he's officially retired from the game of basketball. Standing on the hallowed floor where Jimmer-mania was born, Fredette stood with his family and fell under a standing ovation. A worthy recognition of perhaps the greatest player to ever represent BYU basketball.