By MATT STEVENS
For those not over Jimmermania, there is now a whole YouTube channel devoted to the former BYU basketball star’s journey to the 2011 NBA Draft this month.
The channel focuses on Jimmer Fredette’s training and thoughts on meetings with NBA teams, as well as his personal life and family.
“It’s cool to see some of his everyday life,” said sophomore Darrell Kelly. “People want to know what he is like and what his daily routine is like.”
The Fredette family signed a deal with Tupelo-Honey Productions, a New York based sports, media and entertainment company, according to a news release from the company.
As of Tuesday, there were 23 mini webisodes on the channel lasting anywhere from 35 seconds to almost four minutes. The webisodes vary in content from his NBA training to introducing his agents and members of his family, as well as his girlfriend.
Fredette has also told his followers on Twitter to check out his videos and said he hopes everyone likes them.
“I think it is important that he updates his Twitter and Facebook when he adds a new video,” said senior Chris Rostrom. “I like to see him at different events meeting people. It is clear that he is a really personable guy.”
Kelly said he thinks Tupelo-Honey Productions did a good job setting up the site.
“The site is really well done,” Kelly said. “The video quality is high and there are links to Jimmer’s Twitter account and other media that I think fans would be interested in seeing.”
According to the news release, Tupelo-Honey Productions is also producing the content for a spot on the Sports Illustrated website called “Jimmer’s World.” Along with Fredette’s current YouTube channel, Tupelo-Honey Productions has also produced content for Versus, Arena Football League, MLS soccer and New York Giants preseason games.
The Deseret News reported there will be at least 75 webisodes between the two sites, and after the NBA Draft, all the content will be put together with Fredette’s home videos in a documentary for broadcast or theatrical release.
The 2011 NBA Draft is scheduled to start on June 23 at 5 p.m. MT at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. New webisodes will be added throughout the draft capturing the lead up and reaction of Fredette and his family.
The webisodes so far have gotten hundreds and even thousands of views, but some viewers have said they want to see content outside of basketball.
“I’d like to see Jimmer talk more about his agents and the business side of his draft journey,” Rostrom said. “It would also be cool to see him talk a little bit more about the church and his faith.”
The YouTube channel is called “Follow Jimmer” and can be found at www.youtube.com/followjimmer.
