The Contract: Jimmer Fredette

by Pat Forde

This is the story of two brothers from a blue-collar Mormon family in upstate New York—Jimmer and T.J.—both in need of help. One trying to make it to the NBA. The other trying to stay alive due to a debilitating illness. Both a lifeline to each other.

T.J. wrote a contract for Jimmer to sign: "I, James T. Fredette, agree on this day, Jan. 27, 2007, to do the work and make the necessary sacrifices to be able to reach my ultimate goal of playing in the NBA."

Jimmer signed the contract, T.J. signed as the witness, and as Jimmer's fame spread, the contract became a prominent part of his backstory.

You'll learn about Jimmer's childhood and teen years as well as his special bond with his brother, T.J. Chapter include Jimmer's college basketball experience, his doubts, his goals, and the role his faith plays in his life.

*Free Jimmer poster inside!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2012

Reviews

[Adam Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

this, is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brian Berrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously I am a Jimmer fan or I wouldn’t have read the book. I enjoyed the book, it was great to read about Jimmer. Even though the book is short and a pretty quick read I thought the author took too much time during the growing up years to state the same things over and over using different words. I felt that was unnecessary but I still enjoyed the book.

Honestly, I would be even more interested in a follow up that discusses the failure in the NBA and the success in China. Much of the content of this book is known to Jimmer fans because we read about it and saw it as it happened. I would be very interested in Jimmer’s thoughts now about what has happened since the draft. It probably wouldn’t be a best seller because the market for Jimmer is small, but it would be a great story.

[Caysen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Contract by Jimmer Freddette is about a college basketball prospect that set the world on fire. The Contract talks about Jimmers upbringing as a kid and how he developed his interest in basketball. The book does a good job of showing you what Jimmer was thinking at certain moments and really gives you a good idea of his thought process. On the flip side it . spends some time talking about Jimmers brother T.J. who suffers from a Vestibular disorder which causes him to have dizziness, loss of balance and he also suffers from anxiety and depression. I like how the book shows the effects of Jimmers basketball career on T.J.

One of the more interesting themes in the book is a little unexpected but very thought provoking. Jimmer and T.J. are both white Mormons who compete in African American dominated spaces. With Jimmer playing basketball and T.J. a rapper. I like how the book freely discusses the biases people have based on race and the judgement Jimmer receives such as not being fast or athletic enough. The book does a good job of showing how Jimmers childhood experiences ultimately build up his work ethic and love for basketball. The book is really open and real. I like how it talks about Jimmer playing pick up in a prison and how it shows the emotion and feelings involved. I really liked the book and thought it was really interesting. It gives a lot of insight into highschool and college basketball. It also gives some experiences from the NBA draft. It might not be as interesting if you aren't a basketball fan, but it is still a cool and inspiring story. Overall I thought the book was really interesting and it was a fun read I recommend that you read it.

[Everett Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Ford’s 2012 “The Contract” was a very good book. It wasn’t just a stupid book about basketball and Jimmer’s life, it was more than that. It was hard to stop reading. I hate books that are so boring but you have to read them for a school project or something. This book gave me motivation. I chose to read this book because I am a Jimmer fan and I play basketball and I think it is the most fun sport on this earth. This is a book about Jimmer and his brother T.J. Both of them have struggles in life and they are a support to each other. They lived in New York and Jimmer had a dream of making it to the NBA and his brother suffered an illness. Hopefully this doesn’t spoil anything but my favorite part in the book is when T.J. makes a contract to help Jimmer get to the NBA. It’s a short and motivating contract but it means a lot to Jimmer. He says that he will make the necessary sacrifices to make it to the NBA. This motivated me a lot to make sacrifices to make the freshman basketball team at my high school.I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I love this sttory and I would definitely recommend for anyone who is in need of motivation. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars

[Brandon Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only bad thing about this book is that the story isn't over. A couple years ago it sure seemed to be but with Jimmer's rise in China and the doors it could open back into the NBA we might have an even happier ending.

I'm not a die hard BYU fan but the rise of Jimmer is one of my favorite times in basketball. I enjoyed learning more about his "Why", his family and his brothers struggles (which I had no idea about). Pat Forde won't win any awards from his writing but I thought he did a fine job and told the story well. The 5 stars comes from the fact that I just didn't want to put it down and took some notes on how to help my kids if they choose to pursue basketball.

[Jeff Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thing Jimmer didn`t go on his mission for LDS...You got to strike while the iron is hot as they say. I hate it when LDS people come and try to take you away from your religion...Shame!

[Fetcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished Jimmer, was very disappointed. I love Jimmer, but this book didn’t really provide much new information about Jimmer. I thought this was an authorized biography, after reading I am not sure Jimmer even knew the book was being written. Seems that half the book was about his family. I wanted to hear from Jimmer, what he thought and felt. This is a 2nd hand point of view, not worth the time. I’ll wait for Jimmer to come out with an autobiography and then read that.

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love BYU basketball and Jimmer Fredette, so what was not to love about this book on Jimmer's life and development both in basketball and life! I got to relive all the great moments of the games we watched Jimmer play as a BYU cougar. It was the most exciting year of basketball I've ever enjoyed, so it was fun to experience those games and victories again. It was good to get to know Jimmer and his family better and to know of their personal beliefs as well as their personalities. It was somewhat heartbreaking to know of Jimmer's brother T.J.'s s personal health challenges, but heart warming as he overcame those challenges. It was good to know what a normal, everyday family the Fredettes are; I really like them. They are faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all except his mother, who is Catholic, but supported her family in their beliefs and attending the "Mormon" church. I could relate to their beliefs and feelings and were happy for them to have this strength in their lives. I am proud of all that Jimmer accomplished in his life, and for his achievement of a goal that he and T,J. signed when he was young, to work hard and do whatever it takes to be a player in the NBA. And he achieved that "impossible" goal for a kid from a small town, small school, and from a church college like BYU. He did this through tremendous hard work and sacrifice on his part. It wasn't handed to him by any means. He is an inspiration to all small town folks, and indeed to all of us!

[05rustynm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about the life of Jimmer Fredette and his jouney to the NBA and how in 2007 he made a contract saying " I Jimmer Fredette will do anything to reach my biggest goal of making it to the NBA" he and his brother signed it and Jimmer has lived by it ever sense. He wasn't very wealthy and didn't have a lot in his childhood. For instance, his house had two bedrooms, and one bathroom and they have five people in the family. The book goes on to tell about his faith and all of his conflicts in his life. He didn't just have his NBA career handed to him, he had to work... hard. He grew up in New York and moved to Utah to play for BYU. Right off the bat, he was amazing. Year by year he would get better and better, and his senior year at BYU he led his team to the sweet sixteen and was named the best college basketball player of the year. He also won the award for most points scored in a season.


I would recommend this book to someone who likes basketball and to someone who would like to be motivated.


I rated this book a five because it really motivated me and taught me a lot about not only his life, but basketball.

[Daniel Blevins]

This fantastic biography tells about Jimmer Fredette, one of BYU's best basketball players, and how he made it to the NBA (National Basketball Association) and fulfilled his dream. Jimmer was born in the small town of Glens Falls in New York. That was just only the beginning of a wonderful future. His older brother T.J. Fredette coached Jimmer to play basketball. So did his other family members. Jimmer recently is playing for the Shanghai Sharks and is married to Whitney Wonnacott, a BYU cheerleader. I take to believe that if it weren't for T.J, he probably wouldn't be as great as a basketball player he is today. T.J wanted Jimmer to fulfill his dreams. That's when the contract was made. The contract said that Jimmer would agree to do whatever it takes to be in the NBA. Jimmer is a person determined to fulfill his dream and to do what it takes to get it. Every person should fulfill the dreams they want to accomplish. If you want to know more about Jimmer, I recommend this book because I haven't told you even 50% of it yet. He is an inspiration for me because if others have fulfilled their dreams, then I can too. And so can you!

[Jake Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all time favorites not because my favorite player is Jimmer but because you get to see how hard it is to get where he is today.
I have the have the same goals as Jimmer but he is a harder worker. I really liked the book because it teaches us different things. Jimmers goal was to get to the NBA and he needed help from his brother. Jimmers brother is the reason he got so good but Tj left to go to college and so it was all up to Jimmer. Jimmer decided to go play for BYU. When Jimmer got there he went through a lot of trials that were very hard and it was hard for him to focus on basketball. Jimmers brother was proud if he was going to make the NBA or not. Read the rest of the book for a good ending.

[Conner Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town chubby kid from upstate New York wants to play basketball. That's all he wants to do and that's all he ever does. Day and night rain or snow. You can guarantee this kid will be out there.

One of my favorite books. It was really inspiring knowing that no matter how small your town is there is always a chance for big dreams. He has the same dream as me and he made his true.

My favorite part of the book is hearing Jimmers name being called in the National Basketball Association Draft. Someday I want to hear my name called in the draft just like he did.

I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks there dreams can't come true. This book helps you realize even though you are one small person in one small city, it doesn't mean you can't make your dreams come true.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My children gave this book to me for Christmas because they think I like all things Jimmer and I guess I do because I couldn't help but pick it up next from my "to read" pile of books. I enjoyed the review of Jimmer's background. What I was unprepared for is the experience of Jimmer's brother TJ. I have a lot of respect for the way he has battled his problems and his unselfish nature. He is truly a worthy role model. Jimmer is Jimmer--I hope all young men will follow his work ethic when they are pursuing their dreams.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not well written minus the last few chapters. In the beginning I believe it said some was written was by the author Pat Forde and some by Jimmer's brother TJ. It seems pretty obvious which parts were written by TJ or just quickly thrown together. I enjoyed it because I like Jimmer and there were stories I hadn't heard about it before. Also a lot of the book focuses on TJ, I wasn't a fan of that because who really cares about TJ Fredette.

I am glad I won this book in a contest, I don't think I'd pay for it. If you like jimmer read it but check it out from the library.

[Brock Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a really good book and I loved reading it. I like how they have different points of view from different people but about the same thing. That really helped me understand more of the book. I loved how in the book Jimmer will say he learned this or that lesson. Because when I read what happened I got a different lesson and it helped me to open my eyes. I already kind of knew Jimmer's life story because he was one of my favorite college players. But I liked the story line and how deep it goes, because I never knew some of those things. Overall I loved this book.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book that brought into focus a little bit more of Jimmer's life and how he got to where he is today. There really wasn't that much info that I didn't already know just from what has been published already. Would be interesting to have a book several years down the road if he actually has some success in his NBA play.

[Brett Hinton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Jimmer and his brother TJ. The book is a quick read and covers Jimmer and his family's experience while he was growing up. It spends a considerable amount of time talking about TJ, Jimmer's brother too, and while it is not a terrific read, I enjoyed it mainly because it was Jimmer and BYU-related.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this book from the library as my mother wanted to read it. I also read it before returning it. Not a well-edited and written book, but it was still a decent read. Not a lot of new information about Jimmer, but a very compelling story about his brother, T.J., who has battled illness and anxiety for much of his life.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly this was a very good read. I never caught the "Jimmer Fever" while living in Provo, however I do think he is an upstanding guy. I also thought it was interesting to learn about his journey to basketball fame.

[Ted Guglielmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational book. A great family book. Not just about Jimmer but the struggles and the support given by his brother TJ. Well told by Pat Forde. It delves into not only the Fredette's lives but stereotypes and prejudices that Jimmer and his family lived with. Good stuff

[Ethan hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this is a really good and jimmer has a brother who is really sickto the fist game and when jimmer went to byu and his brother wanted to go to his first game and and his brother had a really hard time

[Jeremy D]

I love it.

[Lisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only thing that bothered me was the grammar.... and there were a lot of missing words.....

[Jason Palatsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the story of Jimmer Fredette from Glens Falls to Sacramento.

[Adam Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Got me interested in his life as an LDS basketball player.

[Josh Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great, but if you followed Jimmer during his college days, you probably know all of the information. There is some interesting stuff about his brother.