Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette will make his return to 801 when the Utah Jazz play host to the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Make no mistake about it — Salt Lake City belongs to Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell these days. With a winning personality and hardwood skills to match, the high-scoring guard and 2018 NBA Slam Dunk champion has captured the imagination of the Jazzland masses like few before him.
Before Mitchell ever donned the navy, green and gold, however, another big-time backcourt scorer ruled the roost in Salt Lake City — former BYU star and 2011 John R. Wooden Award winner Jimmer Fredette.
While Jimmermania was something of a national craze nearly a decade ago, Utah was definitely its epicenter. So, it’s only fitting that Fredette will play just the second game of his NBA comeback tour when the Jazz band hosts the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at Vivint Arena.
Jimmer. Swishes. pic.twitter.com/YpXSg0Pbr4
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) March 25, 2019
Fredette, who last played in the Association in 2016 when Gordon Hayward captained the Jazz ship and Shelvin Mack was running point, just signed with Phoenix for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. The Suns also own a team option for next season.
Since his last taste of NBA action, the now 30-year-old has continued to do what he does best in China for the Shanghai Sharks, i.e. gettin’ buckets.
Over three years and 127 games played in the Chinese CBA, Fredette averaged 36.8 points per contest. Along the way, he knocked down 619 3-point shots and posted a true shooting percentage well north of 60 percent.
He was less prolific in his official return over the weekend. In four minutes against the team that drafted him 10th overall (via a draft-night trade) in 2011 — the Sacramento Kings — he was 0-for-1 from the field with a couple of rebounds.
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However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get more run in his Beehive State return. Not just because he’s had more time in the Suns program, but due to the fact that garbage time should come fast and hard in the game.
When last these two teams met, the Jazz put a 114-97 hurt down on former Jazz coach Igor Kokoskov’s crew. Las Vegas oddsmakers have Utah listed as 15-point favorites this time out, and I’m feeling another blow-out win, too.
Especially with the Jazz needing every win they can get to ensure a favorable playoff seed.
GAME PREDICTION: Utah Jazz 117, Phoenix Suns 100
Tip-off for the game is at 7 PM MT. Follow along with all the Jazz vs Jimmer discussion in our comment thread below.