June 15, 2011, Salt Lake City, UTAH — The word is spreading here today that Jimmer Fredette "roughed up" Kemba Walker in a workout before the Utah Jazz. Jimmer won almost all of the college basketball player of the year awards, while Kemba led Connecticut to the NCAA championship and won the Bob Cousy award.
The event was closed to the public, but rumors of how Jimmer did were being spread by hosts of sports radio shows here.
One commentator on 1320 the Zone said he talked with multiple sources who were at the workout, and each one said Jimmer played better than Kemba. Fredette supposedly played well on defense and impressed the Jazz brass with his quickness, toughness and shooting ability.
Jazz radio play-by-play announcer David Locke interviewed an anonymous NBA scout, who said he expects Jimmer to have a great career in the NBA. He said the BYU grad has a high basketball IQ, is an excellent passer, and has the ability to score in a variety of ways.
Another source said Jimmer has impressed NBA managers with his defense in team workouts, has shot astonishly high percentages and shown excellent ball handling skills, speed and agility. He said Jimmer has improved even since the college season ended and is in the best physical condition of his life.
The jumping ability that Fredette had before tearing a calf muscle in the last game of the year has returned, and NBA brass have been surprised by how high he jumps on his shot as well as by his size, length and strength.
Evidently Kemba and Jimmer played together at times today. Kemba penetrated easily with his speed, drew Jimmer's defender and then kicked it out for easy threes. That combination proved to be so effective that some are wondering whether the Jazz might use both their picks to get these two outstanding guards.
I have a friendly bet with a friend who will pay for my gas to drag my fishing boat to Bear Lake if Jimmer is gone by the time the Jazz select Utah's second pick in the June 23 draft at No. 12. If Jimmer is drafted at No. 12 or later, I pay for the gas. I'm still expecting to win this bet.
I've played and watched enough basketball that I'm confident in saying that Jimmer is the real deal.
