Fredette returns to NBA after 3 years in China, signs with Suns

NEW YORK – Jimmer Fredette, who spent five seasons in the NBA before moving to China in 2016, has signed a deal to return stateside with the Phoenix Suns, according to multiple reports Thursday (Friday Manila time).

The 30-year-old guard, selected 10th in the 2011 NBA Draft, will join the Suns for the final nine games of a woeful campaign which has them 17-55, worst in the Western Conference and second-worst overall.

The Suns will miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Fredette's deal, which includes a team option for next season, was first reported by KMVP Radio in Phoenix and later by ESPN.

Fredette spent the past three seasons with the Shanghai Sharks, averaging 36.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season in the Chinese Basketball Association.

He connected on almost 42 percent of shots from 3-point range for the Sharks, who were ousted from the playoffs on Tuesday.

After leading the nation in scoring and winning US college player of the year honors in 2011 at Brigham Young University, Fredette played three seasons with Sacramento before stops at Chicago, New Orleans and New York. He managed only six games combined with the Pelicans and Knicks in the 2015-16 campaign before heading to China.

Fredette, who last played in the league in March 2016, has averaged 6.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 235 NBA appearances.