"Two of Jimmer Fredette's teammates have witnessed how revered he is in Utah.

In September, during the NBA lockout, Tyler Honeycutt and Isaiah Thomas played in a charity exhibition game hosted by Fredette at BYU.

Thomas recalled the experience in Utah, or as he called it, "the state of Jimmer," where Fredette's fans flock to him.

"It's unreal," Thomas said. "He's like a god out there, he really is. I've seen people cry over him, being right next to him. That's like some Michael Jackson stuff."

Fredette will play in Utah tonight for the first time as a professional when the Kings visit the Jazz.

Fredette has had sections of fans at every arena the Kings have visited this season, but tonight's venue will be different.

It was at BYU in Provo, about an hour's drive from Salt Lake City, that Fredette became a national star and consensus collegiate Player of the Year as a senior.

By the end of Fredette's college career, going out to eat without calling ahead or just strolling through the mall weren't options because of his popularity."