BYU Basketball: Where Are They Now? Jimmy Balderson No. 23

Intro from Mike Rose: Jimmy played on the team for four years and started three of those. He was one of the better scorers we’ve had in the program over the last decade. Scored like 40 a game in high school to give you an idea... Played on the Canadian Student National Team for a summer and led the team in scoring with 14.9 ppg. He was an asset for BYU because he was a rare player for us that can actually get right to the rim on penetration, so that really helped our team. Plus he’s a good guy.

Thanks to Mike and Quinn for asking me to share a few memories from my BYU career and what I am doing these days. First though, I would like to say good job to Quinn, for this site is definitely worth reading. I didn’t really know Quinn that well at BYU, but we did recognize him as the guy with the funny name that was always in the weight room.

I think that the football and basketball players have a certain respect for each other. Both Mendenhall and Rose’s programs require 100 percent effort and commitment with the ultimate goal to be a champion. So Quinn, I salute you for putting this together.

Second, thanks also to Mike Rose, who wasn’t much of a weight room star (except for curls—wow!) but has been able to provide some good insight into this season. Mike is one of my best friends as we played three seasons together and had some great experiences.

I am currently working in Palo Alto, California in Commercial Real Estate Brokerage. It is a great place to live, work, and enjoy life. The Silicon Valley moves at a fast pace; the days are intense and business is very competitive. I have learned to love this kind of environment from playing sports year round since I was just a little Canadian.

I am married, have an 18-month-old daughter, and have another baby girl on the way in April. The guys I work with can’t believe that I am married at 25, let alone will have two kids here soon. Lee Cummard used to bug me every day of my senior year, telling me how fast real life was going to hit me in the face once I graduated. Yeah, I guess he was right, but I feel blessed to have a good family, no lingering injuries, and a job.

It has been great to watch the football and basketball teams play this year. I have seen myself turn from a “too cool for school” player to a giddy BYU fan in just under two years. I even own a “Quest” t-shirt and have friends over to watch The Mountain.

I sympathize with the teams when they lose because I remember how they are feeling. Better yet, I remember the big road wins and the fun time on the bus/plane ride home (b-ball team will hopefully experience this soon).

When we beat Washington State my junior year, our first real road win, we were jumping up and down in the locker room celebrating as a team. Coach Rose came in after a minute or so and to our surprise joined right in the middle of the party (which has become a tradition).

There is not a better feeling than a victory for your team, your coach, and your school. This is what we worked so hard for and why the moments are so memorable.

Of all the things I miss, it’s my teammates I miss most. I always enjoyed showing up at the Marriott Center or weight room and joking around with the guys. We would spend at least 5-6 hours a day together about 11 months of the year.

We would battle it out on the court, but afterwards it was all good. I remember getting into an in your face pushing match with Sam Burgess one practice. Some PG-13 swear words were regrettably said (What the frick bro?), but afterwards we had an evening class together and were best of friends again.

There was never a dull moment or boring conversation on the bus or in the locker room. Austin Ainge even helped me break down the x’s and o’s on why I should marry my wife.

We all went through a lot together, and some great friendships were forged. Hopefully we will all be able to hang out again someday.

I was fortunate at BYU to be around some great people. I had some good administrators and advisors that believed in me as a ball player and as a person.

Most important to me was the influence from the coaches. I always felt that they cared about me being successful. Coach Wardenberg would hook me up with summer jobs or anything I needed, and I felt he sincerely cared that I was doing OK outside of basketball.

Coach Rose demanded a lot out of me, which I respected. He rode me pretty hard and made me into a better player. It wasn’t so much what I learned about the game as it was what I learned about myself. He pushed us hard in practice and required 100 percent effort and intensity at all times.

We always had three goals for the season: Beat Utah at Utah, win the Conference Championship, and go to the NCAA tourney. My senior year we accomplished all three goals, which I'll remember for the rest of my life. Not too many people get to celebrate a win at the Huntsman Center (I couldn’t resist including that). It is pretty clear that the basketball program is on the right track and improving.

Good luck to the Cougs in the remainder of the season. Win or lose, I will be watching.

Jim