When Donnie Freeman committed to Syracuse back in the Spring, it was a sign that Adrian Autry was going to waste no time changing the way things were done under Jim Boeheim at SU. Freeman’s commitment was a sign that Autry’s vision was already put into play just months after he had taken over as head coach and a huge win for the program.
Freeman’s national ranking has only increased since he pledged his loyalty to the Orange, currently standing as the 31st-ranked player according to 247 Sports, 30th according to On3, 42nd according to ESPN, and 42nd on Rivals. The 6’9 190-pound forward has the body and athleticism of Syracuse forwards of the past.
Watching his film and highlights from this summer and he looks eerily similar to Jermai Grant, and Freeman might be at a more advanced stage than Grant was when he entered college. The two-year Orange forward just signed a 5 year, $160 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, to show you what potential Freeman has. Plus, Syracuse fans are not the only people hyping up the Washington, D.C. native as he enters his senior year.
When Jonathan Givony is tweeting about you, that is a very good thing. ESPN’s lead draft expert has an expert eye for talent and potential and has been doing this for a very long time. No matter what defense Syracuse is playing, Freeman looks like a perfect fit because of his versatility, length, and hand-eye coordination.
The Nike Academy, where Freeman has been this week, is a great spot for the top high school players in the country to get more eyes on them, a la Givony taking the time to put together some clips of Freeman shooting, dunking, and blocking shots and using his platform to showcase the Syracuse recruit’s ability.
Some of the other players at the Nike Academy include DJ Wagner, Jared McCain, and Cooper Flagg, three of the best recruits in the country, regardless of class. The academy allows players to train in professional facilities where the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and countless other NBA stars have trained before them.
All in all, Freeman might be the most exciting prospect to commit to the Orange in a long time because of when he committed, the state of the program, and what he’s said about Autry and Syracuse since he committed. It’s a good time to be an SU fan, and Freeman’s arrival on campus can’t come soon enough.
