It’s been a rough 9 months for Utah sports fanatics.
The Jazz lost Jerry Sloan, then Deron Williams, as they proceeded to tank the rest of their 2010-11 campaign. BYU lost Brandon Davies midway through their highly successful season for breaking the honor code, which hurt their hopes at a national championship. The lack of Jazz basketball in November is leaving Utah restless. Real Salt Lake recently lost to the L.A. Galaxy, eliminating their hopes at another MLS Cup, and ending professional sports from the Beehive State for the immediate future. But the biggest blow that Utah has taken is that “The Jimmer” is now officially a King of Sacramento, and no longer the unofficial King of BYU.
Jimmer Mania peaked in 2010-11. It not only engulfed the Beehive State, but swept the nation. Having the opportunity to be at the Mountain West Conference tournament at the Thomas and Mack Center last March was a treat. I saw Jimmer Mania in full force. Fredette went for 52 points in BYU’s semi-final matchup with New Mexico– propelling the Cougars and their fans into a crazy cloud of optimism, despite Brandon Davies’ departure from the team.
With the 2011 NCAA Tournament in the rear view mirror, along with June’s NBA Draft, which saw Jimmer Fredette go tenth overall to the Sacramento Kings, BYU must look forward to the 2011-12 season.
A key piece to that puzzle will be the return of Brandon Davies. After being dismissed from the team on March 4 of this year, just as BYU was prepping to make its run through the MWC Tournament, and the NCAA Tournament, Davies is now able to return to the Cougar bench.
“I am just glad to be here, back with my teammates and back here where I am supported and loved by so many,” said Davies. “Just to be back here and be able to be part of this team again is a blessing to me.”
Davies’ suspension occurred when he violated BYU’s honor code. He was suspended the same week the Cougars climbed to the number 3 spot in the nation after admitting to having premarital sex.
Davies is BYU’s top returning scorer and rebounder. He was readmitted to BYU in August, saying that he is happy to be back, and that BYU treated him very fairly.
Davies said, “I was definitely treated more than fair. Just to be able to make it back here and be able to be a part of this team again is a blessing to me.”
Without Jimmer but with Davies, BYU opens their season Friday at Utah State.