Kingsfans Predraft Scouting Report: Jimmer Fredette

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#1
Name: Jimmer Fredette
Position: PG
Age: 22
Hgt: 6'2"
Wgt: 196
College/Country: BYU
Class: Senior
10-11 Stats: 35.8min 28.9pts (.452 .396 .894) 3.4reb 4.3ast 1.3stl 0.0blk 3.5TO
Projected Draft Position: #15-#19
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Kingfans Scouting Report #1:

Jimmer Fredette: 6'2", 196 pound, PG. I've probably seen Jimmer play as much or more as any player in the draft over the last two years. Outstanding college offensive player, and 3 point shooter surpreme. He has effortless range on his shot, sometimes taking shots from 10 to 15 feet behind the college three point line. And making them. Why you ask, would he shoot from there? Well Jimmer is usually guarded by the best defender on the other team, regardless of position. As he approaches the 3 point line with the ball, he's usually doubled. So once he gets to where a halfcourt set would start, it becomes much more difficult to get an open three. So if his defender drops off of him 12 feet or so before getting to the line, he takes advantage of the open shot, long though it may be.

I've watched Jimmer shoot a lot, and I think he actually shoots better from about 3 feet behind the college line than he does just behind it. Or in other words, from where he would shoot the NBA three. Don't know the reason for it, but he just seems to have a better feel from there. He's also very good at penetrating and getting to the basket. Something he's prone to do when his shot isn't dropping. He's not one of these guys that will just stand out there and ride the 3 pt shot hoping it will show up. He has a wicked crossover dribble and has no problem creating his own shot when guarded one on one. He's not a great finisher at the basket, but he's more than adequate, and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the NBA when all the attention isn't on him. He handles the ball very well, and can finish with either hand.

He's also very creative around the basket, making shots sometimes out of thin air. I've seen him spit a double down the middle, hesitate the center into the air, and then do a little flip shot over the centers head into the basket. When you first see the move, you think there's absolutely nothing there, but he pulls it off. He's also a very good passer with good court vision. He spent at least half of every game trying to get his teammates involved. Unfortunately he just didn't have much around him that scared anyone. He would have easily doubled his assist total on a good team. My point being, he's not a selfish player. I could easily see him developing into a very good point guard down the road. As one commentator said at the combine. Steve Nash was a very similar player when he came into the league, and he turned himself into what he is today.

Where Fredette takes the most criticism is on the defensive side of the ball. Impossible to defend what you might have seen on the court. He seldom played defense, and the team played mostly zone in order to hide him as much as possible. However, in an interview, his head coach said that keeping Fredette on the floor was the priority, and since he played the entire 40 minutes in at least half the games, an averaged over 38 minutes a game for the season, he told Fredette not to play defense. He wanted him to save all his energy for offense, and he couldn't afford for him to get into foul trouble. Fredette was the offense. When he left the game, BYU struggled to score. His mere presence on the floor, made it easier for his teammates to get open shots. Whether they could make them or not.

With his showing at the combine, doing very well in the lateral agility drillls finishing 2nd in one and 3rd in another, and being rated the 12th best athlete at the combine, for what thats worth, it would appear that he has the athletic ability to become a good defender at the next level. Doesn't mean he will, but at least the risk seems less. I like Fredette a lot, and I think he's going to surprise a lot of people. He's a hard worker, and a tough hardnosed type of player whose not afraid of banging into bigger bodies. It may take him a couple of years, but a lot of people are gong to regret passing on him.

-- Courtesy of KF Scout bajaden
 
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#2
I've got a feeling about Jimmer. It just feels like he's "the guy" in this draft to me. Same feeling I had about Cousins. Hopefully they draft Jimmer and he works out as good as Cousins has. Wouldn't that be crazy if the Kings got one of the top players in the draft despite falling in the draft three years in a row.
 
#3
It seems like it may come down to Fredette or Leonard at #7 unless a trade or Minny off the wall move juggles things. I think Fredette gives Kings the kind of 3pt threat they sorely need, at worst looks to be Beno's eventual third guard replacement, and could be a great marketing tool for the franchise. Petrie love pure shooters with range, with high FT%, with high character. Selected Peja when almost nobody in NBA had heard of him, yet he was known as the best shooter in Europe. Kings have scouted high flyer Vesely, so he might give Petrie pause if he's still on the board at #7. After Leonard's workout with Kings maybe it will be a bit more narrowed down.
 
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#4
I'd pick Fredette over Leonard. I think Leonard is going to get swamped by the size of the NBA, although I think he'll still be a decent NBA player. Fredette just has an amazing NBA level skill with his shooting as-is, if he develops some NBA PG skills, even better.
 
#5
It seems like it may come down to Fredette or Leonard at #7 unless a trade or Minny off the wall move juggles things. I think Fredette gives Kings the kind of 3pt threat they sorely need, at worst looks to be Beno's eventual third guard replacement, and could be a great marketing tool for the franchise. Petrie love pure shooters with range, with high FT%, with high character. Selected Peja when almost nobody in NBA had heard of him, yet he was known as the best shooter in Europe. Kings have scouted high flyer Vesely, so he might give Petrie pause if he's still on the board at #7. After Leonard's workout with Kings maybe it will be a bit more narrowed down.

yeah think it's now down to Jimmer, Veseley, and Leonard for our #7 pick. Can't wait to see Leonard's workout today.
 
#6
I'd pick Fredette over Leonard. I think Leonard is going to get swamped by the size of the NBA, although I think he'll still be a decent NBA player. Fredette just has an amazing NBA level skill with his shooting as-is, if he develops some NBA PG skills, even better.
I tend to agree with your assessment. Leonard does have a freakishly long wingspan and has used it to become a top collegiate basketball defender. How he pans out at next level is the question. Most mock boards have him listed higher than Fredette for what it's worth.
 
#8
Ford, in this interview, feels that the Kings have Walker, Veseley, and Leonard over Fredette on their board. But, he thinks the Maloof's are in love with Jimmer and could pull a Heisley Thabeet overrule.

Kings are around the 18 minute mark: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player...ay=1&autoplay=1&id=6672820&callsign=ESPNRADIO
Can the Maloofs stay out of GM decisions for crying out loud??!!

I have nothing against Fredette, but I also don't want my impulsive broke owner overruling Petrie's decisions...
 

Spike

Subsidiary Intermediary
Staff member
#9
I'm siding with the owners if it's Fredette vs. Walker. The other two? Not sure. There's a lot of potential with those two, but I don't know if we have that kind of time to wait for them to grow.

Drama!
 
#12
How do the Maloofs wanting Jimmer automatically mean they are interfering with the GM? Maybe the GM is on board too.

I don't care. the Maloofs are not basketball people, they should have no say in basketball decisions. If Petrie likes Jimmer, then fine. But I don't want to hear any more Maloofs interference. It's one of the reason the rebuild took so long.
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#13
The have been a few reports suggesting the Kings coaching staff and FO were extremely impressed with Jimmers workout. One report said they were drooling over some of the moves Jimmer was making off the dribble. If the Kings pick Jimmer, I highly doubt it's because the Maloofs overrule Petrie. Picking Reke, Cousins, Omri late first round, and then flipping Landry for Thornton has to give the Maloofs confidence in Petrie. Has to. Also, Ford is an idiot. He never has a clue what Petrie wants to do.

Most of us can tell Jimmer is a good fit, and most of us know the Kings salary situation and roster needs more than the tools at espn. Ford didn't even think a sf was a need for us a month ago.

My guess, we're taking Jimmer or Vesely if we don't trade the pick, or if Kanter/Knight somehow drops to us. Ford all along thinks we're picking Kemba or Leonard. Doubt he's right this time around either.

This crap is from espn this morning,

Superficially, Fredette’s scoring volume has inflated his value to the point where he may be a lottery pick. His ceiling is lower than others because of his age, and his ability to develop into a passer is in question. When evaluating the entire package, Fredette projects better to the NBA as a late first-round or early second-round pick, given his one specialty skill. That way, he can begin to carve out a career as a designated shooter, with a chance to improve his overall game.

Couldn't disagree more.
 
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bajaden

Hall of Famer
#14
The have been a few reports suggesting the Kings coaching staff and FO were extremely impressed with Jimmers workout. One report said they were drooling over some of the moves Jimmer was making off the dribble. If the Kings pick Jimmer, I highly doubt it's because the Maloofs overrule Petrie. Picking Reke, Cousins, Omri late first round, and then flipping Landry for Thornton has to give the Maloofs confidence in Petrie. Has to. Also, Ford is an idiot. He never has a clue what Petrie wants to do.

Most of us can tell Jimmer is a good fit, and most of us know the Kings salary situation and roster needs more than the tools at espn. Ford didn't even think a sf was a need for us a month ago.

My guess, we're taking Jimmer or Vesely if we don't trade the pick, or if Kanter/Knight somehow drops to us. Ford all along thinks we're picking Kemba or Leonard. Doubt he's right this time around either.

This crap is from espn this morning,

Superficially, Fredette’s scoring volume has inflated his value to the point where he may be a lottery pick. His ceiling is lower than others because of his age, and his ability to develop into a passer is in question. When evaluating the entire package, Fredette projects better to the NBA as a late first-round or early second-round pick, given his one specialty skill. That way, he can begin to carve out a career as a designated shooter, with a chance to improve his overall game.

Couldn't disagree more.
I wouldn't count out Leonard. I know that Petrie was at least on of the San Diego St. games. I don't know how much depends on Leonards workout today, but I do think he's in the mix. Walker could still be in the mix as well, if I've misread what the Kings are looking for. And, there's also the possibility of a trade. I've heard that Charlotte is looking to move up and they have two picks in the first round, so you never know.
 
#16
There's a run down on Leonards workout on Sactown Royalty

Offensively, Leonard was a lot more comfortable around the basket, fighting for position to get put-backs, and using the backboard to his advantage. His jumper was a different matter however, missing all but one of his attempts that I saw.
I'd link to it but don't know if im allowed so...

Still not feeling this guy if he can't shoot.
 
#18
Yeah, I just don't get the Leonard as a top 10 pick. Teams seem to like him, so we'll see. I'd love to have him if my team was a fast paced, scramble, full court pressure type of team, but that's just not the NBA. NBA is a grind for the most part, and most games come down to half-court situations. If the Kings draft him, I hope I'm totally completely wrong about him.
 
#19
I just get the feeling jimmer has got that something 'special' he is an incredibly hard worker - the kind of guy who wouldn't stop until he had his defense nailed down. Could be wrong but the qualities that Leonard has i think we can pick up elsewhere.

I like his game but i don't like him THAT much.
 
#20
This crap is from espn this morning,

Superficially, Fredette’s scoring volume has inflated his value to the point where he may be a lottery pick. His ceiling is lower than others because of his age, and his ability to develop into a passer is in question. When evaluating the entire package, Fredette projects better to the NBA as a late first-round or early second-round pick, given his one specialty skill. That way, he can begin to carve out a career as a designated shooter, with a chance to improve his overall game.

Couldn't disagree more.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/30321/will-jimmers-skills-translate-to-next-level

Actually that statement was backed up by some pretty solid points from him.
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#21
Disagree. Stats are usefull, but not always. I don't care what some stats guru at espn says, when I've seen Jimmer play numerous times with my own eyes. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and will gladly eat crow. Until that time though, I'm going by what my eyes tell me. These clown also thought Thabeet was worthy of a top 3 pick heading into the 09 draft. We saw how that has played out. They had Cousins falling as low as #8 last year. I guarantee Phily regrets not taking him #2, and NJ regrets not taking him #3.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#23
Jimmer has been asked to the "Green Room"
Kind of a no brainer. Utah has the 12th pick as well as the 3rd pick. They like Jimmer, but not enough to use the 3rd pick on him. They'd definitely take him with the 12th pick. However they don't think he'll be there at 12. Phoenix whose at 13 has also said they'd love a chance to draft him.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#24
Stats don't always tell the whole story. If you take into consideration how Fredette was used, and what was expected of him, that explains some of the less favorable stats. I think everyone has to remember that these are college players and they play within the system of their coach. Sometimes that system doesn't do much for one part of their game. Look at all the players coming out of UCLA of late. They're all known for being good defenders, but none of them are known for their offense. So they're having the exact opposite problem of Fredette. Our very own Kevin Johnson was forced to play in very restrictive, slow the ball down and get into a set offense system. As a result, no one knew just how good he really was, and he was drafted lower than he should have been. The Kings passed on him in favor of Kenny Smith that year. Not that Smith was a bad player, but Kevin was better.

My point is you have to watch the player play. And you have to watch him play quite a bit. As has been stated. No he didn't get a ton of assists, but he did try. Try's don't show up on a stat sheet. If Jimmer had been the point guard on the Kansas team, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
 
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#25
Disagree. Stats are usefull, but not always. I don't care what some stats guru at espn says, when I've seen Jimmer play numerous times with my own eyes. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and will gladly eat crow. Until that time though, I'm going by what my eyes tell me. These clown also thought Thabeet was worthy of a top 3 pick heading into the 09 draft. We saw how that has played out. They had Cousins falling as low as #8 last year. I guarantee Phily regrets not taking him #2, and NJ regrets not taking him #3.
Actually I remember Chad Ford very consistently had Cousins rated as #1 talent wise in last years draft. It was the perceived personality issues that made it a guessing game of which team would bite. Also, Ford was not a fan of Thabeet going that high from the beginning.

I didn't say I agreed with him, but I thought it was a well researched point of view... hardly deserving of being called "crap". I know everybody's really high on Jimmer right now (me included, I'd definitely take him over Walker), but I don't think you can be completely dismissive of any warts people bring up. :)
 
#27
This crap is from espn this morning,

Superficially, Fredette’s scoring volume has inflated his value to the point where he may be a lottery pick.
[SARCASM] Yeah, the value of scoring in the NBA is so inflated. It's not like you need it to win games. [/SARCASM]