Number 32 will forever hang in the rafters of the Marriott Center honoring BYU basketball legend, Jimmer Fredette.
Fredette played for BYU from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he averaged 28.9 points per game and led the Cougars to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1981, making him a name Cougar fans will never forget.
“BYU hadn’t been great at basketball for a while,” Fredette said in a news conference after his jersey retirement. “We hadn’t really been prevalent in basketball since Danny Ainge in his years. And I think our team was just very likeable. We were really good, obviously, so I think that plays a part of it. So, people all over the country were seeing that who were BYU fans and it’s kind of just resonated with the rest of the country.”
BYU held a jersey retirement ceremony for Fredette on Valentine’s Day during halftime of the BYU vs. Colorado game. Jimmer waited 15 years to see his jersey hang, but he says it was a neat experience having all of his kids experience the moment.
“I’m glad they waited the 15 years, honestly, because for me, now I get to have all three of my kids there,” Fredette said. “The older two for sure kind of knew what was going on. So, to be able to have that experience with my family has been pretty speechless, honestly.”
The halftime celebration was followed by a thrilling second half of basketball, but BYU had to battle without senior guard Richie Saunders, who went to the lockerroom only 45 seconds into the game.
Saunders suffered a season ending ACL tear, ending his career with the Cougars.
With Saunders out, it was up to the rest of the team to protect home court, especially on the night of Fredette’s jersey retirement.
Both teams traded baskets and when the final buzzer sounded, the score was all tied up at 78.
But a phenomenal 39-point outing from BYU’s Rob Wright sealed the 90-86 victory over the visiting Buffaloes.
After BYU claimed the overtime victory, head coach Kevin Young was asked about Fredette’s impact on BYU basketball.
“I don’t even know if words can describe his impact on BYU basketball,” Young said. “Just the fact that it turned into a true global phenomenon is incredible. So, for him to just be the type of husband, father, ambassador for BYU, ambassador for the Church, couldn’t happen to a better guy.”
AJ Dybansta was asked about Fredette’s career, and his answer was short and sweet.
“All I know is that he was him. That’s about it,” Dybansta said.
With No. 32 now permanently raised inside the Marriott Center, Jimmer Fredette’s legacy is cemented not just in the record books, but in the hearts of Cougar fans everywhere. From unforgettable scoring performances to a lasting cultural impact on the program, Jimmer Fredette remains one of the most iconic figures to ever wear a BYU uniform.