The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team will have to get used to playing without the services of Bahamian freshman Donavan “Donnie” Freeman. 

The Syracuse forward will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DI basketball season with a leg injury that will require surgery.

The team officially made the announcement on social media over the weekend to explain Freeman’s absence over the last several games.

“After further evaluation and consulting with his family and team physicians, Donnie Freeman is scheduled to have a procedure done next week that will sideline him for the remainder of the season as he focuses on his recovery.

“While his presence on the court will be missed, Donnie’s health and well-being are our top priority. We expect him to make a full return to basketball and will support him throughout his recovery process. Orange Nation wishes Donnie a speedy recovery. Go Orange!” the programme wrote in a statement.

The Bahamian forward was a five-star recruit and is one of the highest-rated Syracuse signees since retired National Basketball Association (NBA) star Carmelo Anthony.He showed some promise in the 14 games played for Syracuse to start the season. He averaged 13.4 points per game (ppg), 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25.4 minutes per game. 

He was quite efficient when on the floor, shooting 50.4 per cent in 14 outings.

The 6-foot-9 forward had two of his best performances of the season against the Ualbany Great Danes in December and Cornell Big Red late in November last year.

Freeman had his way with the Great Danes to put up 24 points, eight rebounds and an assist in the team’s 102-85 victory.

Prior to that, he had the hot hand against the Big Red. He collected 23 points, 12 boards and three dimes in Syracuse’s 82-72 win at the time.

“Donnie” has not suited up to play since suffering a lower leg injury in the game against the Florida State Seminoles on January 4. Since then, he has missed the last nine games and was listed as “day-to-day” prior to the team’s latest announcement.

With his stellar play at the high school and collegiate levels, Freeman has garnered attention at the NBA level but it remains unclear whether he intends to join Syracuse next season or declare for the NBA draft.

He was named to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American team and made his senior men’s basketball team debut at the FIBA Olympic Qualifier in Valencia, Spain last summer.

Jyare Davis has been slotted into the starting role in Freeman’s absence.