If anyone in the history of BYU sports could have capitalized on name, image, and likeness initiatives, it would have been Jimmer Fredette.
The consensus national player of the year 2011 was a household name as a senior when “Jimmermania” swept the country. Fredette averaged 28.9 points per game in front of sold-out spectators, knocked down 124 3-pointers, saw his first name become a verb (“Jimmered”), hit a school record of 52 points in a single game, and became the BYU Top scorer top scorer (dethroned legendary Danny Ainge) and led the Cougars to a point in 3rd place and an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time in 30 years.
This season, wherever Fredette went, Fredette treated like a rock star as he mesmerized the watchers with his ability to take difficult, seemingly rash shots from all over the place. Fans wanted his autograph or the chance to take a picture with him or speak to him. He had to drop out of face-to-face classes and do his homework online. Everyone wanted a piece of him.
Fredette became something of a pop culture icon. He appeared on the covers of magazines. The media, both local and national, recorded his every move. His older brother wrote a rap song about him and Lil Wayne threw Jimmer into a rap.
But there was more.
NBA superstar Kevin Durant tweeted that Fredette is “the best goalscorer in the world!” President Barack Obama raved about him. “Have you ever had the chance to see BYU’s Jimmer Fredette?” He said during the 2011 season. “Unbelievable. Obviously the top scorer in the country. Great talent.”
With the NCAA allowing student athletes to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness starting Thursday, they have the opportunity to be compensated in ways that Fredette never was.
“That is definitely a great verdict. It had to be done. College athletes had to get paid at some point. And I think that’s the best way to do it in my opinion, ”Fredette told BYU Sports Nation on Thursday morning. “You can go out and make money with your name. Now they do stuff on social media and make money, they can advertise local car dealerships or whatever it is, the sodalicious on the street, whatever it is. You will be able to make some money, which is amazing. “
Imagine what Fredette could have made at BYU under this new legislation.
“If I had the chance, it would probably have been pretty good for me. I’ve had a lot of people trying to come to me and make money off of me from that time anyway, and I obviously wasn’t able to capitalize on that, ”he said. “But now it’s the kids and I think that’s a great thing.
“I’m sure all college students who have played in the past few years will say, ‘Yeah, I was born a little premature.’ I think it’s a great thing for the kids now and hopefully they can capitalize on it. “
Of course, there are many unknowns about NIL. Will the opportunities to make money be a distraction for student athletes?
“Probably a little at first, just because it’s new. Everything that is new is something to get used to. It’s a little different and you have to plan your time differently. But I think the kids will be able to prioritize their time and understand that they have to win on the court first and perform on the court, ”Fredette told BYU Sports Nation. “If you don’t, you won’t get the endorsement anyway. You will not be able to take advantage of these opportunities outside of court.
“I think first and foremost their coaches will definitely make sure they understand that. You won’t miss any exercises or meetings or anything like that. I promise you that, ”he continued. “They’ll be doing this (NIL-related activities) later at night or early in the morning if they have time on a day off or something.
“At first the schedule will definitely be a little different, but they will find out. They are very intelligent people, they know what they are doing. A lot of coaches, like (BYU) coach (Mark) Pope, have dealt with it before in his career so he knows what it’s about. He will make it possible and Kalani (Sitake) and all BYU coaches will be able to do the same. I think it will be fine. But it will initially be an adjustment. “
Nobody knows what Fredette’s earning potential as a student athlete at BYU could have been.
While missing out on these opportunities, Fredette is delighted that current and future athletes have a chance to market their talent in ways he couldn’t.
Sign up for the newsletter
Cougar insider
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/nil-what-former-byu-superstar-jimmer-fredette-thinks-about-ruling/
No comments:
Post a Comment