When you think of BYU basketball, few names stand taller than Jimmer Fredette, the scoring phenom who lit up college hoops in the late 2000s and early 2010s with seemingly limitless range and unforgettable moments, from a record-setting 52-point night to leading the nation in scoring and earning consensus National Player of the Year honors, and on February 14, 2026, his iconic No. 32 jersey will rise into the rafters of the Marriott Center where his legacy will be etched forever in BYU history.

On a national stage, Jimmer Fredette changed how college basketball talked about scoring, range, and individual impact, turning late-night West Coast games into must-watch moments and putting BYU at the center of the sport’s conversation. His deep shooting rewrote expectations, his performances drew packed arenas and national broadcasts, and his name became shorthand for fearlessness and flair. For BYU, Jimmer’s run was more than points and accolades. It was belief, momentum, and a generation of fans who saw what was possible when preparation met confidence. That influence still echoes every time a shot goes up from well beyond the arc.

MOMENTS THAT CAPTURED A NATION

Fredette in the NCAA Tournament vs. Gonzaga

Fredette in the NCAA Tournament vs. Gonzaga

In the 2011 NCAA Tournament, Jimmer delivered a legendary performance against Gonzaga, scoring 34 points to lead No. 3 seed BYU to an 89–67 victory over the No. 11 Bulldogs in the Round of 32. Fredette hit seven 3-pointers and was especially dominant from deep, helping BYU pull away in the second half after a tight opening period. Though Gonzaga featured strong scorers, they simply couldn’t contain Fredette’s shooting throughout the game.

His scoring outburst not only powered BYU into the Sweet 16 for the first time in 30 years, but also cemented the game as one of his most memorable college performances. Fredette set the tone with a pair of long threes in the second half that sparked key runs, and his offensive explosion overshadowed any early defensive focus Gonzaga tried to put on him.

Jimmer vs. SDSU

Jimmer vs. SDSU

In a standout 2011 regular-season matchup, Jimmer Fredette put on one of the most memorable offensive showcases of his college career by scoring 43 points to lead No. 9 BYU to a 71–58 win over No. 4 San Diego State. Fredette was nearly unstoppable, shooting 14-of-24 from the field and hitting five 3-pointers, as he carried the Cougars’ offense throughout the night.

The Aztecs, who entered the game unbeaten at 20-0 and ranked fourth nationally, had their perfect season snapped by Fredette. Even with SDSU star Kawhi Leonard battling illness, the performance clearly elevated Fredette’s national profile and fed the growing “Jimmermania” narrative. The win was a signature moment in BYU’s strong season and remains one of Fredette’s most celebrated games for its sheer scoring dominance.

52 Points vs. New Mexico

52 Points vs. New Mexico

In the 2011 Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinals, Jimmer Fredette delivered one of the most remarkable individual games in BYU basketball history by scoring a career-high 52 points in an 87–76 victory over New Mexico. Fredette was 22-for-37 from the field and hit seven 3-pointers, doing almost all of his damage from live play and notably attempting only one free throw all game. He erupted for 33 points in the first half, one of the most prolific halves in school history, and carried that momentum through to the end.

That night he not only set the BYU single-game scoring record but also became the school’s all-time leading scorer, breaking a 30-year mark previously held by Danny Ainge. The performance was especially sweet as BYU had lost to New Mexico twice earlier in the regular season, and Fredette’s scoring outburst helped avenge those defeats. Many regard this game as the pinnacle of “Jimmermania,” showcasing his scoring prowess on one of the biggest stages of the season.

Fredette vs. Arizona 2009

Fredette vs. Arizona 2009

In a December 2009, Fredette delivered one of the greatest individual performances in BYU basketball history by scoring a school-record 49 points in a 99–69 victory over Arizona. Fredette was extremely efficient, shooting 16-of-23 from the field, 9-of-13 from three-point range, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, shattering multiple scoring marks in the process. His nine-made 3-pointers set a BYU record for threes in a single game and his point total also established the most ever by an opponent at Arizona’s arena.

Beyond scoring, he was a complete contributor with nine assists, seven rebounds, and two steals. Fredette’s performance helped BYU dominate an established Pac-10 program and was so commanding that the Arizona crowd gave him a standing ovation as he was subbed out late in the game. The 30-point margin was the largest defeat for Arizona in that venue’s history.

JIMMER BY THE NUMBERS

Total Points2599
National Awards & Recognitions16
Program Records11
Conference Records6
AP Player of the Year1
BIOGRAPHY Opens in a new window

Current Records Held

BYU Records

  • Most points scored in a game (52 pts)
  • Most Points Scored in a season (1068)
  • Most Free Throws Made in a game (23)
  • Most Free Throws Made in a season (252)
  • Most Free Throws Made (career) (627)
  • Most Field Goals Made in a game (22)
  • Most Field Goals Made in a season (346)
  • Most Three-Point FGs Made in a season (124)
  • Most Three-Point FGs Made (career) (296)
  • Most 30-point games (career) (24)
  • Most 40-point games (career) (6)

Mountain West Conference Records

  • Most Points Scored in a game (52)
  • Most Points Scored in a season (1068)
  • Most Points Scored (career) (2599)
  • Most Field Goals Made in a season (346)
  • Most Field Goals Made (career) (838)
  • Second Most Three-Point FGs Made (career) (296)

Jimmer in the News

CULTURAL IMPACT

Jimmer Fredette wasn’t just dominant on the court—he became a cultural moment, inspiring viral YouTube videos, playground imitators, and a generation of fans who tried to “Jimmer” shots from the logo. From Teach Me How to Jimmer to endless highlights shared across social and sports media, his game transcended box scores and turned into a movement that reshaped how college basketball connected with pop culture and the internet era.

Teach Me How to Jimmer

Loading YouTube Video...

Jimmer Fredette - Court Intruder

Loading YouTube Video...

Parody of the famous "Bed Intruder" music video. Featuring BYU Basketball star Jimmer Fredette as the "Court Intruder".

"Slick Nick"

Loading YouTube Video...

Jimmer Fredette goes undercover as 'Slick Nick' & fools the BYU basketball team