Jimmer Fredette Watch: Can The Former BYU Star Get His Groove Back With Kings?

One of the best players in college basketball from a few years ago can’t seem to get playing time on the worst team in the Western Conference.

Jimmer Fredette hasn’t been able to do much in his second NBA season, as he’s been kept on the bench for most of it. The former BYU star has been productive in his time on the court during the 2012-2013 season, but that time has been very limited.

In the Kings last six games, the guard has averaged just 9.5 minutes per contest. He didn’t play at all in the team’s games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves in that span.

When he’s gotten some playing time, Fredette has made the most of it. He’s ninth in the league, averaging 28.7 points per every 48 minutes played. His best game came against the Lakers on Nov. 11, when he scored 18 points in 11 minutes. Since then, he’s played more than 20 minutes just once.

Fredette’s last game was his worst performance of the year. He missed all of his six shots in the Kings 35-point loss to the L.A. Clippers. With head coach Keith Smart already reluctant to give Fredette playing time, a 0-6 performance won’t help his case going forward.

At 4-12, Sacramento sits in last place in the Pacific Division. The Kings' struggles may be the second-year player’s best chance to get more minutes. As the team falls out of the playoff race, Smart may decide to give a player like Fredette more of a look.

There were many skeptics about Fredette’s potential as he entered the NBA. He is about 6'2, and was primarily a scorer in college. However, Sacramento did spend a lottery pick on him, though they haven’t given him much of a chance to showcase what he can do in the pros.

Fredette is averaging 6.3 points per game on 46.3 percent field-goal shooting and 41.7 percent three-point shooting. He leads the Kings with a 20.6 player efficiency rating.