This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Jimmer Fredette makes another return to Utah Friday night, his third since being drafted 10th overall by the Sacramento Kings 10th overall in 2011. The former Naismith Award winner is a favorite in this state, and is a big draw when the Kings are in town. But he has barely played this season. In this morning's Tribune, Steve Luhm broke down the Jimmer effect in Sacramento, and the status of the former Cougar star.
A handful of Jazz players following Friday's shoot around spoke about Fredette and what it was like in EnergySolutions Arena last season when he played here.
Al Jefferson on Fredette being buried behind a number of other guards | It could be tough for anybody, but at the end of the day, NBA is all about adjustments, you gotta adjust. The team gotta adjust to him and he's gotta adjust to the system. At least he's on the team and at least he have the opportunity at practice and everything and when he do get in games to show his talent. And show them the reason he should be playing more, whatever the situation is. I really don't know what's going on."
Jefferson on the crowd reaction to Fredette | I think it's just die-hard fans. He did well for his, um, what school did he go to? BYU. He did well for them. He's good, they support him throughout his NBA career so I wasn't too surprised by that.Derrick Favors | You got to respect it. He was a big-time college star here.Gordon Hayward | Anytime you have someone that's such a good player for an in-state college like that people are going to want him to succeed at the next level and it's something that I think people are proud that he's playing in the NBA and they want to show support.
— Bill Oram