Jimmer weighs in on losing Mountain West record to Boise State’s ‘incredible shooter’
While playing overseas last year for the Shanghai Sharks, Jimmer Fredette heard Justinian Jessup’s name for the first time.
“I had several people tell me they thought my 3-point record was in jeopardy, and sure enough it was,” Fredette told the Idaho Statesman via email. “He’s an incredible shooter.”
After months of anticipation, Jessup broke Fredette’s Mountain West Conference career 3-point record in Boise State’s 67-62 victory over Wyoming on Tuesday night in Laramie, Wyoming. Fredette finished his BYU men’s basketball career with 296 triples, and Jessup sank the 297th of his career with 16 minutes, 54 seconds on the clock in the first half against the Cowboys.
“I still can’t believe it,” Jessup said. “I was in middle school watching Jimmer highlights. I still remember watching his stuff on YouTube. Now to break a record like his is just crazy. I’m thankful and honored to be mentioned with him. It’s pretty cool.”
While Jessup is still trying to wrap his head around the accomplishment, Fredette has been watching the Boise State senior’s climb toward the record with appreciation from afar. Fredette is currently playing for Panathinaikos, a professional basketball team in Greece.
“I haven’t had the chance to watch a (Boise State) game yet, but I have seen highlights,” Fredette said. “I don’t get many NCAA basketball games live overseas, unfortunately, but I do keep up with everything that’s going on. I hope to catch a game before the season is over. But watching his highlights are very impressive, and I love how he can score.”
Fredette was named the 2010-11 Associated Press National Player of the Year as a senior. He led the country in scoring that season and was taken with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He still owns numerous Mountain West records, including most points scored in a game (52), season (1,068) and career (2,599).
So how does Fredette feel about handing his 3-point crown over to Jessup?
“Records are always meant to be broken,” Fredette said. “I was fortunate to hold the record for a long time in a great conference. I’m glad a great kid and player like Justinian was the one to be able to break it.”
After Tuesday’s record-breaking performance, Boise State coach Leon Rice gave Jessup the game ball. He’s received congratulatory phone calls, text messages and shout-outs on social media. Chandler Hutchison, Jessup’s former teammate and a current Chicago Bulls guard, was among the first to acknowledge his accomplishment on Twitter.
“My shooter! Congrats bro,” Hutchison’s tweet read.
Jessup set Boise State’s career 3-point record against UNLV on Jan. 8. He already owns the No. 2 (90) and No. 3 (87) single-season 3-point totals in program history and has a shot at bettering Abe Jackson’s single-season record of 92. Jessup has made 71 triples so far this season. With six regular-season games remaining, Jessup ranks No. 10 all-time at Boise State in scoring (1,440), No. 3 for career starts (113) and No. 9 for career steals (143)
He’s even got his own Wikipedia page.
But Jessup would toss it all out the window for a postseason run in his final season with the Broncos.
“I’m kind of more worried about how we’re going to finish the season. We’ve got some big games coming up, a big one on Saturday,” Jessup said. “That’s where my mind is at right now, just how I can help this team win and what I can do.”
