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Longtime College Basketball Player Announces Retirement After 7 Years

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 2:29 PM ET

Cincinnati guard CJ Fredrick Jr. appeared to confirm the end of his basketball playing career.

Fredrick played for three different schools since joining Iowa in 2018. He played 19 games off the Bearcats' bench in 2024-25, his final year of collegiate eligibility.

On Wednesday, Fredrick posted what reads as a farewell letter to basketball on Instagram.

"Man what a ride. This game has given more to me than I could ever imagine," Fredrick wrote. "I've truly been blessed to be able to play this game and go to places I have dreamed of as a kid. Even at its lowest points, it was all worth it. I will forever love the game of basketball and the relationships it's allowed me to have for life.

"To all my teammates, coaches, trainers, family and anyone I have met along the way, thank you for letting me be a small part of your life. I hope to give back to the game that gave me everything. Thank you."

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Fredrick redshirted his freshman year after sustaining a rib injury before averaging a career-high 10.2 points in 25 games for the Hawkeyes in 2019-20. The sharpshooter made 47 of his 102 three-point attempts.

Although he shot 47.4 percent from beyond the arc the following season, Fredrick's scoring average dipped to 7.4 in fewer minutes. He transferred to Kentucky but injured his hamstring while warming up for the 2021-22 season's opening game.

Returning from season-ending surgery, Fredrick scored 20 points in his Kentucky debut. However, his field-goal percentage tumbled to 35.1 in 27 games for John Calipari's Wildcats.

Fredrick changed teams again when going to Cincinnati in 2023. The 6-foot-3 guard, who was born in Cincinnati, averaged 6.1 points and 1.5 assists in 15 games.

Returning for his fifth season in seven years, Fredrick only played 175 minutes throughout the 2024-25 campaign. He scored his final three college points in a Feb. 8 win over BYU.

Fredrick, 25, married former Kentucky women's basketball player Blair Green last summer.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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