The Syracuse Orange men’s basketball program received a considerable tailwind in the spring when Donnie Freeman announced his intent to return for a sophomore season. Freeman, who suffered a season-ending
injury midway through his freshman campaign, figures to have a major impact at Syracuse this season and a big reason as to why the Orange would realize its NCAA Tournament aspirations in 2025-26.
After a productive start to his freshman campaign Freeman yielded to a right foot injury in early January which ended his season. In a detailed report from Syracuse.com’s Donna Ditota, Freeman fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. In other words, the long (middle) bone on the outside of the foot. That injury led to surgery in mid-February which included a pin to hold the bone together, per Ditota. Freeman underwent the rehabilitation process and returned to basketball activities in May.
Freeman spoke publicly about his rehabilitation process from ACC Media Day in Charlotte.
“My rehab was tough, kind of mentally and physically. Just not knowing where I’d be when I got back,” Freeman said. “Building from top to bottom, like I feel better than I did even before I got injured. My foot feels better than the day before.”
Asked what he learned about himself through that process, Freeman highlighted how he adapted and viewed it as a learning opportunity.
“The biggest thing for me was I never held my head or I never pouted about it — even though I was sad about it — but I never pouted about it. It kind of made me stronger. I kind of used it as an opportunity to learn from a different … point of view from the game. Seeing from the sideline I got to see different things and I got to learn more about myself in total.”
In spite of his injury Freeman would’ve generated interest at the next level. At the very least, he would’ve had plenty of suitors had he elected to enter the transfer portal. Freeman didn’t sound like a player who spent too much time thinking about alternatives. Instead he elected to return to Syracuse for a sophomore season.
“Despite what other people might say or what you might hear, it was a no-brainer for me coming back,” Freeman said. “I felt like I had unfinished business here with my team and my coaches. I believe in the staff from top to bottom. I trust them and they trust me as well. This is where I wanted to be, and I felt like I had unfinished business, so it was a no-brainer for me to come back.”
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Note: Freeman was asked about players on this year’s team that were underrated. He named two.
“A player that a lot of people are sleeping on is Tyler Betsey for us,” Freeman said. “I think he can be really good for us. He’s 6-8, 6-9. He’s strong, long arms, can defend, can shoot, really versatile. I feel like a lot of people are sleeping on him but he’ll wake up a lot of people.
“Another player I think is gonna wake a lot of people up is Nate Kingz as well. He was at Oregon State last year, one of the best shooters I’ve ever seen.”
