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

[baggerbob]

I get what youre saying and agree to an extent but if he has to be guarded out on the perimeter then it opens up even more for the offense. I've seen probably 20-30 full games of Donnie at this point since last summer and its been a pretty big evolution in his game over the past year. Over the summer he did a lot of what youre asking and proved he can be an inside presence. Now his game is expanding and given the fact that he's around 6'10" I think hes realizing that at his size its very difficult to defend his perimeter game so he's starting to defer to that more. As long as he is willing to go back to that inside game when the shots aren't falling from the outside then I dont mind his game becoming more perimeter oriented.

At his size he needs to play inside out, ad develope a handle to drive if closely guarded.

 

[SUFan44]

Stud. Best freshman since 'Melo?

 

[hoopsupstate]

At his size he needs to play inside out, ad develope a handle to drive if closely guarded.

I’ve seen him drive it. His ability to shoot it will allow him to pump fake and get to the rim. He’s very good going right.

 

[anglerman]

At his size he needs to play inside out, ad develope a handle to drive if closely guarded.

He has good handle apparently you’ve never seen him play

 

[General20]

At his size he needs to play inside out, ad develope a handle to drive if closely guarded.

I'm no expert on Freeman, I've only seen him play a couple times, so take this with a grain of salt, but from what I've seen when he has a bigger guy guarding him, he mostly tries to take him off the dribble, and when he has a smaller guy on him he mostly tries to post up (sometimes shooting that turn around jumper). He seems to be good st both.

 

[Niastri]

I'm no expert on Freeman, I've only seen him play a couple times, so take this with a grain of salt, but from what I've seen when he has a bigger guy guarding him, he mostly tries to take him off the dribble, and when he has a smaller guy on him he mostly tries to post up (sometimes shooting that turn around jumper). He seems to be good st both.

I like that aspect of Freeman's game. He seems to have been well coached or is just a smart offensive player.

I think his handle is surprisingly good for his size. I have been hearing a lot of comparisons to Derrick Coleman, which is almost blasphemy. Particularly so when his body and his game resemble Coleman's only in that they are both tall.

Well, here’s another blasphemy; Freeman’s game actually reminds me of Carmelo Anthony.

Freeman can drive straight to the basket, he can dribble into the post, he can rebound, and he can shoot reliably it to three point range.

Additionally, Freeman seems to have grown a few inches and added pounds since committing, while simultaneously shooting up the recruiting rankings.

Freeman is also our highest ranked recruit in a long time, after a disappointing period in the programs history.

The whole thing is eerily similar to Carmelo Anthony’s situation coming into Syracuse.

I know, I know, blasphemy!

But I can't stop seeing the similarities.

 

[Digger]

I like that aspect of Freeman's game. He seems to have been well coached or is just a smart offensive player.

I think his handle is surprisingly good for his size. I have been hearing a lot of comparisons to Derrick Coleman, which is almost blasphemy. Particularly so when his body and his game resemble Coleman's only in that they are both tall.

Well, here’s another blasphemy; Freeman’s game actually reminds me of Carmelo Anthony.

Freeman can drive straight to the basket, he can dribble into the post, he can rebound, and he can shoot reliably it to three point range.

Additionally, Freeman seems to have grown a few inches and added pounds since committing, while simultaneously shooting up the recruiting rankings.

Freeman is also our highest ranked recruit in a long time, after a disappointing period in the programs history.

The whole thing is eerily similar to Carmelo Anthony’s situation coming into Syracuse.

I know, I know, blasphemy!

But I can't stop seeing the similarities.

Not disagreeing, just adding Carmelo’s heft/size and physicality on offense were otherworldly with his skill level.

 

[MikeSU02]

Carmelo, DC. May as well throw in some Tim Duncan and KG. Why not? Bernard King?

He isn’t dribbling from perimeter to rim in the ACC his first year. He isn’t hitting a high clip of threes his first year. He isn’t playing shut down individual and help D his first year.

He still is good enough to get drafted in 2025 bc of upside.

He’s going to have some awesome weak side blocks. He’ll have some flashes of stardom. If he’s locked in, he’ll be boarding and dominating inside of five feet. Hit shots when he gets good looks.

I really like Donnie. But people are expecting way too much.

He’s starting with three other guys right now that can’t play good D. That aren’t ball movers. We got work to do to round out the lineup to help Donnie.

 

[Sbucketball]

Just saw a post that Donnie requested to be released from his National Letter of Intent.

Took 5 seconds to realize it was posted on 4/1 and was a dumb April Fools joke. Heart sunk.

 

[Orangezoo]

Carmelo, DC. May as well throw in some Tim Duncan and KG. Why not? Bernard King?

He isn’t dribbling from perimeter to rim in the ACC his first year. He isn’t hitting a high clip of threes his first year. He isn’t playing shut down individual and help D his first year.

He still is good enough to get drafted in 2025 bc of upside.

He’s going to have some awesome weak side blocks. He’ll have some flashes of stardom. If he’s locked in, he’ll be boarding and dominating inside of five feet. Hit shots when he gets good looks.

I really like Donnie. But people are expecting way too much.

He’s starting with three other guys right now that can’t play good D. That aren’t ball movers. We got work to do to round out the lineup to help Donnie.

Agree we shouldn’t over hype- not fair and not realistic. Lampkin is a ball mover not a stopper though to be clear. Donnie doesn’t appear to be in the mold of a ball stopper. Bell we know the shot is going up or a pump with shot going up. JJ is a mixed bag but there is potential to be better and he seems a team first guy too so that can only help.

 

[Niastri]

Not disagreeing, just adding Carmelo’s heft/size and physicality on offense were otherworldly with his skill level.

But Anthony was only 6'5"... It's looking like Freeman is a legit 6'9"

 

[Orangezoo]

But Anthony was only 6'5"... It's looking like Freeman is a legit 6'9"

6-6 and 3/4 without shoes I believe was the actual

 

[anglerman]

Carmelo, DC. May as well throw in some Tim Duncan and KG. Why not? Bernard King?

He isn’t dribbling from perimeter to rim in the ACC his first year. He isn’t hitting a high clip of threes his first year. He isn’t playing shut down individual and help D his first year.

He still is good enough to get drafted in 2025 bc of upside.

He’s going to have some awesome weak side blocks. He’ll have some flashes of stardom. If he’s locked in, he’ll be boarding and dominating inside of five feet. Hit shots when he gets good looks.

I really like Donnie. But people are expecting way too much.

He’s starting with three other guys right now that can’t play good D. That aren’t ball movers. We got work to do to round out the lineup to help Donnie.

How do you know this ?? Are you a talent scout ? What I saw is he has very good handle. Why wouldn’t he be able to take the ball to the rim?

 

[Giants1973]

6-6 and 3/4 without shoes I believe was the actual

I thought he was 7-3

 

[Hopkins16]

What about Bell? 6 foot 7 foot 8 foot Bunch?

 

[Niastri]

6-6 and 3/4 without shoes I believe was the actual

We're both wrong: 6'6 1/4"

With a similar suite of skills, Freeman is the taller player. For the record, I don't by any stretch imagine Freeman is going to have anything like Anthony's season. I think something like 13 and 7 is most likely. But having Freeman a threat to score from everywhere on the court is going to make everything easier for his teammates.

Between Lampkin, Freeman, and Bell, we have all the scoring skills you want in a frontcourt. It wouldn't surprise me if they averaged 40+ as a group.

Draft Combine Anthrometric | Stats | NBA.com

NBA Draft Combine Anthrometric data

www.nba.com

 

[jordville]

Congrats on capping off your HS career, Donnie!

Now onto Syracuse (Cuse Nation can't wait)... LGO!

 

[50YRsofCuse]

I like that aspect of Freeman's game. He seems to have been well coached or is just a smart offensive player.

I think his handle is surprisingly good for his size. I have been hearing a lot of comparisons to Derrick Coleman, which is almost blasphemy. Particularly so when his body and his game resemble Coleman's only in that they are both tall.

Well, here’s another blasphemy; Freeman’s game actually reminds me of Carmelo Anthony.

Freeman can drive straight to the basket, he can dribble into the post, he can rebound, and he can shoot reliably it to three point range.

Additionally, Freeman seems to have grown a few inches and added pounds since committing, while simultaneously shooting up the recruiting rankings.

Freeman is also our highest ranked recruit in a long time, after a disappointing period in the programs history.

The whole thing is eerily similar to Carmelo Anthony’s situation coming into Syracuse.

I know, I know, blasphemy!

But I can't stop seeing the similarities.

While Donavan is a player that has a lot of potential and can be looked at as the best recruit since Carmelo, I strongly suggest we not to compare/label him to or as the next Carmelo. We were all pleasantly surprised when Carmelo arrived at Syracuse and exceeded the higher expectations of even the more knowledgeable Syracuse insider. Won’t say he was a one of a kind player but he was definitely close to that label as that season played out.

l believe we the fans had high expectations for Benny Williams when he first arrived at Syracuse. While there were an occasional glimpse of talented player, for the most part we were disappointed that he never reached the level.

Let’s look forward to Donnie Freeman playing at Syracuse and develop his own brand. Let’s not raise expectations so high to burden him with the label of the next Carmelo Anthony.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I was firmly on team "Donnie isn't a 3", but with the recent press and shooting display, maybe he can play minutes at the 3 if Bell's not playing well, which means we better have someone who can play the 4 for a different lineup.

For those "Donnie's not a 3" (that's what he'll play in the NBA), there was this on The Athletic:

"One of the biggest stock risers this week was Syracuse commit Donnie Freeman. On Day 1 of the practices, it felt like he didn’t miss a shot from behind the arc. Several scouts would look at the roster and make slight comments like “Who is that kid” or “Has he missed yet?” He has a chance to be an elite pick-and-pop guy at the next level with his 6-foot-9 frame. Every year there’s always one guy who comes out of this event and helps himself going into their freshman campaign; this year it was Freeman. He is one to look out for going into the 2024-25 college basketball season."

 

[Domedog84]

For those "Donnie's not a 3" (that's what he'll play in the NBA), there was this on The Athletic:

"One of the biggest stock risers this week was Syracuse commit Donnie Freeman. On Day 1 of the practices, it felt like he didn’t miss a shot from behind the arc. Several scouts would look at the roster and make slight comments like “Who is that kid” or “Has he missed yet?” He has a chance to be an elite pick-and-pop guy at the next level with his 6-foot-9 frame. Every year there’s always one guy who comes out of this event and helps himself going into their freshman campaign; this year it was Freeman. He is one to look out for going into the 2024-25 college basketball season."

That settles it. No pick and pop 4 in the NBA. I guess his 3 skills are as legit as they come. They did mention dribbling a ton in the blurb as well.

I hope his shooting translates to what we would need from a 3 in our system, I am just wary of putting that pressure on the kid and his skill set.

 

[Niastri]

That settles it. No pick and pop 4 in the NBA. I guess his 3 skills are as legit as they come. They did mention dribbling a ton in the blurb as well.

I hope his shooting translates to what we would need from a 3 in our system, I am just wary of putting that pressure on the kid and his skill set.

Depending on who we get as a reserve forward, I think it unlikely Freeman will play much as a three... When he's on the court, he's likely to be our second biggest player.

His shooting and dribble penetration skills are added value for a guy of his size.

 

[Cusesky8214]

 

[Domedog84]

Depending on who we get as a reserve forward, I think it unlikely Freeman will play much as a three... When he's on the court, he's likely to be our second biggest player.

His shooting and dribble penetration skills are added value for a guy of his size.

I agree completely. We need him to be a 4 as we do not have another on the current roster. Any of those skills are a bonus.

 

[007]

I agree completely. We need him to be a 4 as we do not have another on the current roster. Any of those skills are a bonus.

If Freeman brings a versatile skill set to the roster, on top of being a fluid big, what is the difference, especially in a motion offense, between being called a 3 or 4? What is it specifically that "we need him to be as a 4" that he couldn't provide if we call him a 3?

The debate over whether Freeman is a 3 or 4 is largely irrelevant, IMO. The Joe Fan analysis needs a paradigm shift away from traditional labels and instead emphasize what skill sets can Freeman bring as a player at 6-10.

 

[Sbucketball]

If Freeman brings a versatile skill set to the roster, on top of being a fluid big, what is the difference, especially in a motion offense, between being called a 3 or 4? What is it specifically that "we need him to be as a 4" that he couldn't provide if we call him a 3?

The debate over whether Freeman is a 3 or 4 is largely irrelevant, IMO. The Joe Fan analysis needs a paradigm shift away from traditional labels and instead emphasize what skill sets can Freeman bring as a player at 6-10.

It's relevant for roster construction. Unfortunately Maliq's gone, but it was a big question as to whether he could play with Maliq and a center at the same time, or if he needs to be paired with Bell or another SF.