Donnie Freeman injures foot

[Dinkyspond]

say want you want about paul harris. at 6 foot 5 inches he led in Syracuse in rebounds 3 years.it ain't all about size. he was a hungry rebound beast.

Paul was fun to watch grab boards. He was a warrior.

 

[Niastri]

Yes, I agree. Coleman was a 4/5. Billy Owens was a 3/4.
Freeman is not strong enough at the 4, or skilled enough at the 3. Not yet.
But he needs to work on BOTH aspects of his game (inside and outside) or he won't be a pro. He is not an explosivelathlete. He is a tall and skilled basketball player for his size. But he's not good enough at the fundamentals of the game yet to have any chance right now as a pro.

Foot injuries seem to start, and then gradually get worse, until you can’t play. I suspect we never saw a healthy Freeman this year.

He certainly looked less athletic than his high school tapes.

It’s unclear when he started having the problems with his foot… But if he can go 14 and 8 while nursing an injury that sapped his explosiveness, imagine next year after another year of S&C and experience.

 

[Niastri]

The more I look at the number of players out of eligibility and the influx of money in hoops I think Freeman will easily get more than a million on the open market.

I think $1.5 million is his discounted rate to stay.

The schools being allowed to pay directly, on top of the arms race in NIL that is already ramping up means significantly more money is in play. Top schools might have $15 million rosters next season.

 

[Niastri]

The Mets were foolish, that guys going to end up getting paid 50 million a year when he is at the age where he is an average or worse player.

Good thing whoever pays Freeman only has to worry about a one year contract.

 

[Red2003]

He’s only a sophomore with 14 games under his belt only 8 of which were P5 games along with a foot injury.

He will command a huge bag no doubt but may not be the sure thing that the top programs are looking for at the 4. Would he entertain teams that tell him he’s a backup forward or fighting for time when he already has a relationship here and will likely be guaranteed the starting spot.

Just saying He can give Cuse another run and if it goes to crap again he has another year or another if he wants to go wherever.

 

[Red2003]

Donnie was really good as a defensive rebounder in his limited time on the court this season. His defensive rebounding percentage (as calculated by KenPom) is the highest an SU player has had going back almost 25 years. Here’s the list of the Top 5 defensive rebounders in SU since 2002:

#1 - 31.4% rate - Donnie Freeman (2025)
#2 (tie) - 23.8% rate - Eddie Lampkin (2025) and Jesse Edwards (2023)
#4 - 21.5% rate - Bourama Sidibe (2020)
#5 - 21.3% rate - Paul Harris (2007)

True but adjust for SoS too. 6 of the 14 games he played this year were against Q4 NonCon cupcakes or should’ve been.

He would likely have improved as well in ACC play but really it’s tough to rely too much on his metrics for me. Also given the rotations were a mess with JJ out and Bell being a a dumpster fire in December it’s not as if he was ever able to get any rhythm so maybe he could’ve even been much better.

We just really need him back because we can’t just be a farm league to the big dogs. He’s our guy and we need to step up and say enough is enough with our bigs at the 4 and 5 getting sniped every year.

 

[sufan59]

True but adjust for SoS too. 6 of the 14 games he played this year were against Q4 NonCon cupcakes or should’ve been.

He would likely have improved as well in ACC play but really it’s tough to rely too much on his metrics for me. Also given the rotations were a mess with JJ out and Bell being a a dumpster fire in December it’s not as if he was ever able to get any rhythm so maybe he could’ve even been much better.

We just really need him back because we can’t just be a farm league to the big dogs. He’s our guy and we need to step up and say enough is enough with our bigs at the 4 and 5 getting sniped every year.

Also, the team seems to all be very close with one another. If we can retain most of the eligible guys and they agree to take smaller roles, so we can get some impact P4 guys from other schools to fill the 2 to 3 remaining spots. We could have something going for us. Hope it’s simple enough.

 

[tptcuse]

I think $1.5 million is his discounted rate to stay.

The schools being allowed to pay directly, on top of the arms race in NIL that is already ramping up means significantly more money is in play. Top schools might have $15 million rosters next season.

If we're not willing to find him up to $2 million, we're not serious.

 

[City of Cuse]

If we're not willing to find him up to $2 million, we're not serious.

Feel like Cuse could use 2 million improving a few positions instead of just wagering it all on one.

 

[Cstate]

Okay let me first start by saying I think Donnie is a solid player and as a freshman putting up 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg with a slash line of 50%/33%/80% over 14 games is respectable, let’s also put it all in context. Especially with people throwing out the 2-3 million number around his name……..

It is well known that not just with him, but most first year players that their defense, physical abilities/maturity, size will be an issue, and that was also the case with Donnie. I was in Brooklyn front row for the Texas and Texas Tech games. The first night Donnie got to experience playing against grown men he could only be on the court 15 minutes total, with only about 3-4 of those in the entire 2nd half because he couldn’t guard anyone. He had 2 rebounds total. The next night against Texas Tech he came out more energized/determined and to his credit grabbed 13 rebounds! However, then on the offensive end he struggled going 1-7 (0-3 from three).

Now comes his 4 game stretch averaging 20 ppg that essentially made is entire seasons average in points production. Cornell (23 points), Tennessee (10 points), Notre Dame (20 points), and then UAlbany (24 points including going 4/4 from three). Again, great to average 20 ppg over that span, but not exactly against stiff competition (except Tennessee of course).

Donnie is going to have to ask himself if I take more money from an SEC school, does he see himself being a staple on a potential roster at an Auburn or Arkansas for example, where playing for those type of coaches they expect their players to be absolute Dogs on defense! And would he be prioritized on offense at those schools, like he certainly would be here if he stays. I particularly don’t think he would be. But again, it is also going to come down to what his camp also feels will potentially get him to the next level as well.

We shall see……

 

[OttoinGrotto]

If we're not willing to find him up to $2 million, we're not serious.

Some might say we're doomed.

 

[phil77]

Feel like Cuse could use 2 million improving a few positions instead of just wagering it all on one.

2 million will be the going rate this year. With the new ruling as they say "the price of poker just went up"

 

[hoopsupstate]

If we're not willing to find him up to $2 million, we're not serious.

$2 million is way overpay for his abilities. He’s not a dominating player on either end of the floor. A lot of teams overpaid last year and programs noticed. Money that people are projecting are way over the top. Freeman‘s value tops out at maybe $700,000. I’m glad Kline understands talent and value.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

$2 million is way overpay for his abilities. He’s not a dominating player on either end of the floor. A lot of teams overpaid last year and programs noticed. Money that people are projecting are way over the top. Freeman‘s value tops out at maybe $700,000. I’m glad Kline understands talent and value.

This thinking is what got us in trouble.

There is no overpaying in the NIL era.

 

[hoopsupstate]

This thinking is what got us in trouble.

There is no overpaying in the NIL era.

It might be if you have a plan.

 

[kingtidge]

$2 million is way overpay for his abilities. He’s not a dominating player on either end of the floor. A lot of teams overpaid last year and programs noticed. Money that people are projecting are way over the top. Freeman‘s value tops out at maybe $700,000. I’m glad Kline understands talent and value.

Price is driven by the market.

He is worth what multiple teams will pay for him.

 

[EnviroSciGuy]

It might be if you have a plan.

And therein lies the rub...

 

[Irt4su]

$2 million is way overpay for his abilities. He’s not a dominating player on either end of the floor. A lot of teams overpaid last year and programs noticed. Money that people are projecting are way over the top. Freeman‘s value tops out at maybe $700,000. I’m glad Kline understands talent and value.

Loser mentality. Go big or go home (like we did this year). The time to try to re establish any sense of national exposure and program respect is to go all out now. The wheels have already come off so now it’s time to try and fly or crash and burn while trying. Overpay for anyone that has the ability and talent to make us relevant. Donnie’s worth is what another school will pay him not 700,000.

 

[hoopsupstate]

If it costs $2 million, he will not be at Syracuse.

 

[phil77]

If it costs $2 million, he will not be at Syracuse.

I dont know if he will get to 2 million but he will be more than 700k and he will be over 1 million. I feel pretty comfortable in saying that.

 

[hoopsupstate]

I dont know if he will get to 2 million but he will be more than 700k and he will be over 1 million. I feel pretty comfortable in saying that.

You might be right, but Donnie has not proved much playing in the ACC. He played few games and he’s coming off a foot injury. Foot injuries can be very problematic. You don’t invest that much money if you have any questions about his physical health. He’s not a banger and he doesn’t have a body that bodes well in playing in either the SEC or Big 10.

 

[Madbiker]

Freeman's decision will be a big indicator of where we're going. If he transfers to another school it doesn't bode well for our ability to retain or attract talent. Or compete for talent with the big boys. If he stays it's a good sign we're competing.

 

[phil77]

You might be right, but Donnie has not proved much playing in the ACC. He played few games and he’s coming off a foot injury. Foot injuries can be very problematic. You don’t invest that much money if you have any questions about his physical health. He’s not a banger and he doesn’t have a body that bodes well in playing in either the SEC or Big 10.

You are entitled to have your opinion but he will have 100000% have SEC and BIG 10 offers if he wants them.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

You might be right, but Donnie has not proved much playing in the ACC. He played few games and he’s coming off a foot injury. Foot injuries can be very problematic. You don’t invest that much money if you have any questions about his physical health. He’s not a banger and he doesn’t have a body that bodes well in playing in either the SEC or Big 10.

There are really only two legitimate circumstances where it's ok for us to not have Freeman on the roster.

One is he takes a shot at the NBA.

The other is we know something about his recovery and we're not confident that his body will be right next season.

 

[hoopsupstate]

You are entitled to have your opinion but he will have 100000% have SEC and BIG 10 offers if he wants them.

You’re also entitled to your opinion, but everything is going to depend on his recovery from his foot injury.