Class of 2024 - PF Donnie Freeman (MD / IMG) COMMITTED & SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (5/11/23) | Page 53 | Syracusefan.com

Class of 2024 PF Donnie Freeman (MD / IMG) COMMITTED & SIGNED TO SYRACUSE (5/11/23)

Niastri said:
Williams shooting open threes was not a problem. He hit 40% last year.

This year, who knows what he was thinking...
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My point being, look at all the places he didn't develop first and foremost. I couldn't care less about him ever shooting a 3 at the 4 spot when he needed to learn and show the basics of the position first. If you can board, be physical, have one post move minimum and defend, then go ahead and shoot 3's. I'd just love for a 4 to come in and do the prerequisites for the position before wanting to play on the outside, it's a waste unless you're a total sniper, imo.
 
721Comstock said:
Moreover - we were 100% OUT on Donnie while JAB was still the coach.

It was literally only after he retired got shown the door, that Donnie's interest ticked up again.
Red and crew closed that.

Choppa seems like he was more committed to Syracuse than JAB or Red, but it's certainly great that we've kept him onboard. Will bring some much-needed shooting and scoring punch off the bench in year 1, and probably be a starter in year 2.
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Along with JB retiring the biggest uptick is when he hired Brenden Straughn who had ties to Donnie. If Red doesn't make that hire Donnie doesn't come here.
 
Pete Hollis Showcase: Day 1 Top Performers

“Donnie Freeman has been on an upward trajectory for the past 14 or so months. And that has continued, as he keeps showcasing new aspects of his game. Freeman has a smooth jump shot with a high release. He is able to get to his balance points off two dribbles or coming off movement. He shot comfortably in the mid-range as well as spot shooting from three. Freeman also showed some footwork and counters in the mid-range. Getting to spots and creating space to get his high-releasing shot off. The Syracuse signee is a lengthy player, he has a projectable frame, already adding good weight. He moves very well laterally with natural timing. On3 made him a five-star in the latest 2024 On3 150 update, it will be interesting to see where he ends up in the next, and final ranking. He finished this one with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, going 2-of-4 from three.”
 
SP_Gilbs said:
Pete Hollis Showcase: Day 1 Top Performers

“Donnie Freeman has been on an upward trajectory for the past 14 or so months. And that has continued, as he keeps showcasing new aspects of his game. Freeman has a smooth jump shot with a high release. He is able to get to his balance points off two dribbles or coming off movement. He shot comfortably in the mid-range as well as spot shooting from three. Freeman also showed some footwork and counters in the mid-range. Getting to spots and creating space to get his high-releasing shot off. The Syracuse signee is a lengthy player, he has a projectable frame, already adding good weight. He moves very well laterally with natural timing. On3 made him a five-star in the latest 2024 On3 150 update, it will be interesting to see where he ends up in the next, and final ranking. He finished this one with 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, going 2-of-4 from three.”
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I'm telling you, his game reminds me of a young Kevin Durant. Nice shooting stroke, obviously high release point, has a nice midrange game, good at 2 dribble moves to get open. Skinny ass legs, too, just like Durant.
 
La Lu's starting center didn't play in the game but Donnie took advantage in a big way nonetheless.
 
Yeah, Freeman will start. Looking to regain SU's toughness down low, Freeman and Maliq will be a heck of a duo on the boards. Will be interesting to see how Red schemes a lineup with both once the portal chips fall.

Freeman could just be the chip that turns the program back to notoriety.
 
SP_Gilbs said:


Anyone with ESPN+ I highly encourage you to go rewatch the IMG La Lumiere game from today. Donnie had the most impressive NIBC game that I have seen of anyone to this point in the year. Truly dominant performance.
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That was an extremely impressive performance and get me super excited for next year!
 
SP_Gilbs said:


Anyone with ESPN+ I highly encourage you to go rewatch the IMG La Lumiere game from today. Donnie had the most impressive NIBC game that I have seen of anyone to this point in the year. Truly dominant performance.
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Just rewatched it. No doubt he will start next year.
I was very impressed with Jerry Easter too.
 
Cuse99&01 said:
Just rewatched it. No doubt he will start next year.
I was very impressed with Jerry Easter too.
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Yeah Easter was really good as well. One of the most impressive plays for me from Donnie was when he took Easter off the dribble and got to the rack somewhere in the 4th quarter. He missed the shot(might have been fouled but no call) but it’s really impressive for someone his size to get by an athletic guard like that. One small negative that I’ve noticed is he’s very right hand dominant with the dribble. Probably not a big deal since people his size normally can’t dribble much at all at this stage of development but it is something I’ve noticed after watching 10-15 games now. Can’t recall many left handed drives to the hoop.
 
Just finished watching as well. Good as advertised on O and the boards (even with the other team missing their 7' center). I'd like to see him tighten up the D end of things, but you can probably say that about most kids in hs. He does have a post move though, and really good footwork. Very coordinated for 6'10. Can't wait
 
ssbriefcase said:
Just finished watching as well. Good as advertised on O and the boards (even with the other team missing their 7' center). I'd like to see him tighten up the D end of things, but you can probably say that about most kids in hs. He does have a post move though, and really good footwork. Very coordinated for 6'10. Can't wait
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He has gotten a lot better since the summer. Stronger, more directly attacks the basket. Turning into a real presence inside. He's looking more like Kevin Garnett in that video than he is like Kevin Durant, which is what you would have said last summer in his AAU clips.
 
What a FREAK.

Guys that big aren't supposed to move like that. That tells me his handle and jump shot will keep getting better, too. So fluid. I can't remember the last "holy chit" recruit we landed. Donnie is one of those.
 
UpstateSM said:
What a FREAK.

Guys that big aren't supposed to move like that. That tells me his handle and jump shot will keep getting better, too. So fluid. I can't remember the last "holy chit" recruit we landed. Donnie is one of those.
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Maybe Chris McCullough or Dontae Greene? But, Chris didn’t seem to have a good work ethic and Dontae seemed a bit immature. Hopefully we have some leaders for Donnie, because the talent is there.
 
Donnie finished his NIBC season averaging the following:

16.6 PPG
8.4 REB
2.2 AST
1.3 STL
0.8 BLK

53% FG
30% 3PT
75% FT

Had a strong finish to the season that I could see pushing him closer to top 10 status across all rankings if he performs well at the McDonalds game.
 

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