For former BYU standout Jimmer Fredette, the struggle to find a regular rotation spot continues.
The tenth pick of the 2011 NBA draft has been dogged in his determination to find a consistent role within an organization. The twenty-seven year old played two years for the Sacramento Kings before being moved to the Chicago Bulls. The next year, after playing a minor role in Chicago, Fredette was moved once again to the New Orleans Pelicans where once again he failed to make a major impact. After that he moved to New York Knicks, where he regularly shifted back and forth from their D-League outfit, the Westchester Knicks.
It seemed as though he may have had a breakthrough this summer, as he was included on the Denver Nuggets‘ summer league roster. He averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the team, which many assumed would be enough to put his foot back in the NBA door.
Now, it seems that won't be the case.
Source: Jimmer Fredette, former #10 overall NBA draftee, agreed to sign in China with Yao Ming owned Shanghai Sharks.
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) August 2, 2016
Fredette’s next season will not be spent in the NBA; it won’t even be spent in America. The hard working guard will be heading to China to play for the Shanghai Sharks, a team owned by none other than Yao Ming.
The Sharks are known as one of the best teams in the CBA. They have already acquired the Boston Celtics‘ number 16 draft pick, Guerschon ‘The Dancing Bear’ Yabusele for the 2016-17 season. With the signing of Fredette, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the league.
It may be the case that Fredette didn’t have any serious NBA offers come his way this summer but you cannot rule out the possibility that Fredette wanted to play abroad for other reasons. He will have the chance to become familiar with a new culture, he will likely have a consistent roster spot and will have a well-paid, reliable contract that provides him with the assurance that he will not be bounced between organizations.
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