Jimmer Fredette’s NBA Earnings: How Much Did He Earn Before Calling It Quits?

How do you turn a 10th-overall pick into a multi-million dollar payday—without ever cracking 20 minutes per game? Jimmer Fredette’s brief NBA run defied expectations: stellar jersey sales, role-player stops on six teams, and rookie-scale contracts that still added up. Today, we break down every dollar.

His college stardom—culminating in BYU’s 2011 scoring title—generated palpable hype as he entered the 2011 draft. Drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks on June 23, 2011, Fredette didn’t stay there for long. In fact, he never even suited up for them. He was quickly shipped off to the Sacramento Kings in a trade that also involved the Charlotte Bobcats. It was a busy deal, with names like John Salmons, Beno Udrih, Shaun Livingston, Corey Maggette, and Stephen Jackson swapping jerseys. But despite all the movement, it was Fredette who brought the spotlight.

As soon as he landed in Sacramento, “Jimmermania” took off like wildfire. According to Kings merchandise manager Adam Cornelius, Fredette’s debut sparked a 540% spike in jersey sales compared to pre-draft levels. His No. 7 jersey? Sold out both in local stores and online. That level of hype translated not just to ticket sales and energy in the arena—it also showed up on his paycheck. So let’s have a closer look at the total amount he made in the league, suiting up for various teams.

In 2011–12, the Kings paid Fredette $2,238,360 per his rookie-scale contract. The following year, his salary increased to $2,406,240, and in 2013–14, his third year, the Kings’ final rookie-scale installment paid Fredette $2,574,120. Not bad for a young guard trying to find his rhythm in the league. In March 2014, amid reduced minutes in Sacramento, Fredette joined the Chicago Bulls on a 10-day hardship contract, earning $239,279 over 23 games despite averaging just 7.4 minutes per night.

After March 2014, Fredette bounced through four teams on veteran-minimum and hardship contracts. He moved from team to team, often in short bursts, but continued to stack up earnings along the way. During the 2014–15 season, he joined the New Orleans Pelicans, where he was paid $948,163. The following year, he had stops with the San Antonio Spurs ($507,711), New York Knicks ($59,730), and even circled back to the Pelicans for a bit more ($57,726).

His final NBA stint came in 2018–19 with Phoenix, where a 10-day contract yielded $198,579 over five games. Now, if you’ve been keeping track, his total earnings from his time in the NBA add up to a solid $9,229,908.

While Fredette’s NBA career may not have mirrored the stardom many predicted after his college days at BYU, he certainly made the most of every opportunity financially. From the hype of “Jimmermania” to the quieter journeyman years, he carved out a respectable path and walked away with nearly $10 million to show for it.

A quick recap of Jimmer Fredette’s best amid his retirement announcement

If you’ve followed college basketball over the past decade, chances are you remember Jimmer Fredette lighting up the scoreboard like it was nothing. But now, the 36-year-old has officially closed the chapter on his playing career, sharing the news on Instagram after representing Team USA in the 3×3 basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics last summer. It’s the end of a journey filled with highs, detours, and moments that left a lasting impact on fans everywhere.

Let’s rewind to where it all really took off—BYU. That 2011 season? Fredette was unstoppable. He wasn’t just the best player on the court; he was the guy everyone was talking about. Averaging 28.9 points per game, he didn’t just break records—he set new standards for what dominance looked like in college hoops. If you ever caught one of those games, you know the energy he brought. It was the kind of magic that’s hard to forget.

He summed it up perfectly in his Instagram post: “It wasn’t easy from the beginning but my college career turned out better than I could have ever imagined. From being the nation’s leading scorer, to 4 NCAA tourney appearances, a Sweet Sixteen run, and winning National Player of the Year. It was such an incredible life changing experience.” And honestly, who could argue with that?

Jimmer Fredette’s NBA journey kicked off with high hopes. Picked 10th overall in the 2011 draft, he landed with the Sacramento Kings through a draft-night trade. Fans were eager to see if “Jimmer Range” would translate to the NBA hardwood. While he had moments that reminded us of his college days, consistency and playing time were harder to come by. He moved through teams like the Bulls, Pelicans, Knicks, and Suns before his final NBA appearance in 2019.

But did Fredette stop there? Not even close. After his NBA chapter, he found a rhythm overseas and eventually stepped into the 3×3 basketball scene. And just like that, the former college star reinvented himself. He helped Team USA bring home gold at the 2022 FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup and silver at the 2023 World Cup. His form was so solid that he earned a spot on the Olympic roster for Paris. Unfortunately, an adductor tear in pool play sidelined him, and the U.S. fell short with a 2-5 record.

Still, ask anyone who played with or against him—Fredette left an impression. Maybe he didn’t become a perennial NBA All-Star, but he gave the game everything he had. And if you’re a fan of heart, hustle, and perseverance, then Jimmer’s journey is one you’ll always respect.

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