Former NBA Champion Helps Fred Richard Train for a New Sport Amid the Gymnastic Star’s Time100 Success

Success after success, 2024 is truly turning out to be a career-defining year for Fred Richard. First, he helped end Team USA’s 16-year gymnastics drought at the Paris Olympics, followed by making his Gold Over America Tour debut, which placed him in elite gymnast company. He’d also been expanding his reach beyond the mats, as we saw while he garnered tips to refine his speed from Noah Lyles. But, for now, he has a new sport on his hands.

As seen in an Instagram post, Fred was learning to ‘dunk’ from former NBA champion Iman Shumpert. The pro, who has had an illustrious 10-year-plus career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was seen teaching Richard his signature BIG one-handed putback dunk. However, the gymnast was clearly not accustomed to the ball and got nervous ahead of the legend, thus losing the grip while dribbling in his first attempt.

The second try was a bit better until Shumpert showed Richard how to fix his step. He also pointed out how Richard was jumping too forward. Well, the NBA veteran was also lifting the Olympic bronze medalist by his waist to give him the elevation for the slam. In the sixth and final attempt, Fred Richard finally got it!

With a wide smile, he gave Iman Shumpert a high five and captioned the post, “Now I just gotta grow to 6ft and I’ll be slamming it😌.” It looks like Fred is truly racking skills off veterans, while also developing great bonds with them. “Continue to do great things my boy. Can’t wait to watch the rest of your journey,” Shumpert’s comment on the post highlights their friendly equation.

Meanwhile, it can be said that both Iman and Fred Richard are currently relishing their new endeavors. Fred is touring over 30 cities for nearly a month and a half, as part of the GOAT tour, as male gymnasts onboard the same for the first time in history. While Shumpert is ready to set his foot in the domain of entertainment. Yes, you heard that! The NBA expert will now be taking on as full-time host on “Taking One For The Team,” a new ESPN series.

But wait! There is more that we need to pat Richard on the back for. While the applause for this Paris feat had hardly diminished, the University of Michigan junior has now added another massive feat to his list of triumphs this year. Notably, this is something for which he’ll be recognized far and wide.

Fred Richard’s Time Magazine Next 100 list debut

As you now know, the latest news around the block is that Fred Richard has been named among Time Magazine’s Next 100 most influential people in the world! The official list comes out in the October 14 issue. Nonetheless, at just 20, this is a remarkable benchmark for him to have set. There’s no doubt that to be handpicked from a pool of emerging leaders across categories like business, technology, health, entertainment, and more is no miniscule feat.

Throughout the year, he’d been endorsing the fun side of the sport through his YouTube channel, ‘Fredrick Flips.’ But this is not where he seems to stop. As per his gymnast partner, Stephen Nedoroscik, “Men’s gymnastics hasn’t had its time in the spotlight in many years, but Fred is working harder than ­anybody else to change that.” Fred himself believes that when people hear ‘male gymnasts’, they don’t really know what to think. Well, that is something he wishes to change, and the Times Next 100 feat will be a major milestone towards this vision.

Now, there are a few renowned phenoms from the sports world who have ‘made it’ to the prestigious ranking too. There’s Rugby pro Ilona Maher. And oh, boy has she been riding on an all-time high, from Paris to Dancing With The Stars and now, the Times 100 list. There’s also Summer McIntosh, the Canadian swimmer who outpaced Katie Ledecky this summer, in the women’s 400m freestyle event in Paris. But Richard is the only gymnast on the list, and that is truly a one-of-a-kind achievement. What do you think of it? Let us know below!