Jimmer Fredette Knicks: Former BYU Star Guard Back In NBA After Lighting Up D-League

Having not played in the NBA in over three months, Jimmer Fredette is back in the league. The sharpshooting combo guard, who grew up in Glen Falls, New York, agreed to a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks on Monday.

After playing just four games with the New Orleans Pelicans before his release in November, Fredette joined up with the Westchester Knicks of the NBA D-League. The No.10 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft was so impressive that the Knicks have decided to give him a contract, making him eligible for the team’s game on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors.

Fredette was a standout in Westchester, where he averaged 21.8 points per game, which ranked fifth in the league. The 26-year-old added 4.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in 30 contests, shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range. Fredette was one of the stars of All-Star Weekend in Toronto, winning MVP honors in the D-League All-Star Game by scoring a record 35 points in a 128-124 win for the East.

Fredette was a star at BYU, and his play in college made him a lottery pick by the Sacramento Kings. He averaged 7.6 points per game as a rookie, but he saw his playing time and production slowly decrease over the next few seasons. Following stints with the Chicago Bulls and Pelicans, Fredette found himself out of the NBA and looking to get back.

Now, Fredette has earned himself another chance to play at the highest level. Playing on a 10-day contract, though, nothing is guaranteed. Ten-day contracts are almost always for a prorated portion of the league minimum, and Fredette will reportedly make a little less than $60,000 on his current deal with New York. Spotrac estimates his career earnings at just over $8.4 million.

If the Knicks like what they see from Fredette, they can sign him to a second 10-day contract. At the conclusion of that deal, New York would have to either sign him for the rest of the season or make him a free agent.

Since last year, multiple players have become staples of New York’s rotation after signing 10-day contracts. Langston Galloway signed his first 10-day contract with the Knicks in Jan. 2015, and has played in every game for New York this season. Both Lance Thomas and Lou Amundson signed 10-day contracts with the Knicks in Jan. 2015, as well, and have remained on the roster.

The Knicks are in need of help in the backcourt, giving Fredette a chance to earn a permanent roster spot. Arron Afflalo is second on the team in scoring, but the Knicks have been unable to get consistent production from any guard. Rookie point guard Jerian Grant has seen his minutes decrease of late, and he hasn’t played in two of New York’s last three games.

Fredette is known for his ability to score from behind the arc, shooting 38 percent from three-point range in his NBA career. The Knicks are tied for 24th in the league in three-point shooting percentage, and only five NBA teams make fewer three-pointers per game.