Jimmer Fredette’s jersey retired by BYU in halftime ceremony – Deseret News

Jimmermania will officially live on forever in the Marriott Center rafters.

Fifteen years after last playing in Provo, BYU basketball legend Jimmer Fredette had his No. 32 jersey retired at halftime of the Cougars’ Saturday matchup against Colorado.

“I’ve had some of the greatest memories of my life, literally, right here inside of this court,” Fredette said during the ceremony. “It has been an absolute privilege to be able to play at Brigham Young University.”

Fredette, the 2011 consensus National Player of the Year, is the fifth BYU men’s basketball player to have his number retired, joining Danny Ainge, Kresimir Cosic, Mel Hutchins and Roland Minson.

“It’s pretty wild. It’s hard to put into words, right?” Fredette told reporters following the ceremony. “You see the few jerseys that are up there, it’s not easy to get your jersey retired at Brigham Young University with a lot of the requirements that they have. So it’s a special thing to be able to have that.

“And to be here and do this with my family now, right, with my kids, I’m glad (BYU) waited the 15 years, honestly, because for me, now I get to have all my three kids there. So to be able to have that experience with my family, I’ve been speechless, honestly.”

Fredette shared his pride in representing BYU throughout his basketball endeavors all around the world, which he saw as an opportunity to help others grow closer to Jesus Christ.

“I know that my name, wherever I have gone in this world to play basketball, which has been far and wide, I am always known as ‘Jimmer from BYU.’ Always. I love that, and I take that responsibility very seriously, from playing here to being someone who is trying to go forth and serve as this university tells us to go and do,” Fredette said.

“I am so grateful to be able to have brought that with me, to be a disciple of Christ, to be someone who’s trying to bring people to Christ. That has been a huge mission (of mine) because of this university.”

Conducting the ceremony was BYU athletic director Brian Santiago, with BYU president Shane Reese, former BYU head coach Dave Rose, former BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe and a number of Fredette’s family members in attendance as well.

Additionally, four members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and at least a dozen other general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were on hand at the Marriott Center for the festivities.

“We’re so grateful for what you, your teammates, and this coaching staff did for BYU basketball. You, almost single-handedly, captivated an entire country, an entire world of basketball,” Santiago told Fredette during his remarks at the ceremony.

“We just want to say thank you and congratulations. We’re so grateful that you left your blood, sweat and tears on this very floor, and you inspired dreams in all of us. We love you, and you’re part of our family forever.”

Fredette averaged a program-record 28.9 points per game as a senior in 2010-11, leading BYU to its first Sweet 16 appearance in 30 years.

“I think our team was just very likable. We were really good, obviously, so I think that that plays a part of it. If we weren’t great, I don’t think this would be the same way,” Fredette said.

“I think that this school is truly a worldwide school. I don’t think people realize that. Like, there’s BYU fans all over the country, all over the world, because of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So people all over the country were seeing that there were BYU fans, and it kind of just resonated with the rest of the country. So it was a really unique and special time.”

The sold-out Marriott Center crowd, all donning his white, replica jerseys that had been placed on every seat in the arena, showered Fredette with chants of “Jimmer! Jimmer! Jimmer!” and giving him the appropriate reception for someone who still resonates with and is beloved by Cougar Nation after all these years.

“It means a lot to me, right?” Fredette said of still being synonymous with BYU today.
“I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that’s what this institution is about.

“It’s something where, you know, I try to be a good person and someone who’s kind to people, and I hope that when people at least see me or talk to me or are around me, feel like I try to treat them the right way. And I think for me, that’s the most important thing.

“Obviously, I love basketball, and it’s something that I want people to know me for as well. I worked really hard at it to be able to get to where I am in this position. But that fades eventually, especially if you don’t treat people the right way. So I think (faith) has been a huge part of it, and that’s what this institution is all about.”