A Basketball Legend

Albany, N.Y., June 21—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) joined his Senate colleagues earlier this week to welcome New York State high school basketball legend and Brigham Young University (BYU) star James Taft “Jimmer” Fredette, this year’s Player of the Year in men’s Division I college basketball, to the Senate Chamber in Albany where senators adopted a resolution commemorating Fredette’s basketball career.

Fredette, who hails from Glen Falls, New York just north of Albany, led the nation in scoring at 28.9 ppg in 2011 while leading the BYU Cougars to the “Sweet Sixteen” of the NCAA tournament.  As a high schooler in Glens Falls, Fredette was ranked among the nation’s top 75 shooting guards by ESPN.com and ranks sixth on New York State’s all-time scoring list.

Fredette is expected to be one of the top picks in Thursday’s NBA draft.

The Senate Resolution adopted in Fredette’s honor reads, in part, “Jimmer Fredette's exemplary performance is reflective of  his dedication,  determination  and  personal  commitment.  His achievements stand as a hallmark of what is best in our families, schools,  universities, and communities.”

Shown in the photo above with Fredette (center) and O’Mara (right) is former area resident Mark W. Esty, a graduate of Horseheads High School and BYU who was on hand for the occasion.  Esty was a member of the Horseheads High varsity basketball squad that went undefeated during the regular season and reached the quarterfinals of the New York state championships in 2000.  After graduating from BYU with a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Esty returned to New York State and is currently employed at Corning Incorporated's manufacturing plant in Canton.