Schwartz: Former BYU Star Fredette Lands With Westchester Knicks
By Peter Schwartz
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Growing up in upstate Glens Falls, Jimmer Fredette loved watching the Knicks. He was never had the chance to go see them in person at Madison Square Garden, but followed Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, John Starks, and Alan Houston closely on television.
Now, the former BYU guard is a part of the Knicks organization after he was selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Westchester Knicks in the D-League draft.
"I'm very excited about it," said Fredette, who was waived by the Spurs on Oct. 21. "Once things didn't go the way that we wanted it to in San Antonio, we got some calls from other organizations and we're very excited that the Knicks were interested."
Fredette is hoping that he has finally found a home with the Knicks. Drafted 10th overall by the Bucks in 2011 and subsequently traded to Sacramento, Fredette spent two and a half years with the Kings and then went on to play for the Bulls and Pelicans.
Now, he'll get a chance to play in Westchester and is just a phone call away from getting brought up to the parent club.
"Sometimes it's about finding the right situation at the right time in this league," Fredette said. "Hopefully that will be here."
The long and winding road that has taken Fredette to his new home office at the Westchester County Center was not supposed to play out this way.
In four years at BYU, Fredette averaged 18.7 points and 3.7 assists per game. His popularity led to phrases like "Jimmer Time" and "Jimmered," referring to when he had big-time scoring games. After he was acquired by the Kings, Fredette immediately ignited the fan base as the sale of his jersey helped boost the sales of team merchandise.
But he hasn't come close to enjoying the same success in the NBA as he did in college, despite one magical night at Madison Square Garden back in 2014 when he scored 24 points against the Knicks.
Now he's a part of the Knicks organization and is hoping that he will soon run the triangle offense at the World's Most Famous Arena.
"(Knicks president) Phil Jackson ran it with the Bulls and Lakers and we actually tried to run it for a stint when I was in Sacramento, so I know a little bit about it," Fredette said. "I'll continue to learn and to know more and more about it."
Now 26 years old, Fredette is pumped up about his homecoming of sorts. Ironically, the Knicks had some interest in Fredette as they prepared for the 2011 draft, but Milwaukee swooped in early.
The Knicks wound up taking Iman Shumpert.
Four years later, Fredette is part of the Knicks family.
"I loved watching the Knicks growing up," Fredette said. "So just to be a part of the organization and to be here in Westchester is a great opportunity for me to be able to go out and play and hopefully to do some good things and help this organization."
While Fredette will get plenty of experience in Westchester, there are five guards on the Knicks' 14-man roster. That would lead one to believe that if things go well with the W-Knicks, Fredette might not be in the D-League that long.
'You never know what's going to happen," Fredette said. "We looked at all situations that were out there and we felt that the Knicks would be the best fit for me right now with my style of play. I hope to impress and play well and go from there."
When Fredette was starring for BYU, bouncing around from team to team wasn't what he had in mind for a professional career. But things happen for a reason and perhaps the Knicks, initially in Westchester and hopefully with the parent team, will finally be the right fit for him.
Fredette and the Westchester Knicks begin their 2015-16 season on Nov. 12 when they host the Maine Red Claws. For ticket information go to www.westchesterknicks.com.
Don't forget to follow Pete on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow @jimmerfredette and the Westchester Knicks at @wcknicks
