NEW YORK, NY – Donnie Freeman, a forward departing from Syracuse, has committed to St. John's University. The announcement comes after significant attention from both St. John's and Kentucky, with reports indicating that St. John's ultimately presented a more substantial financial offer. Freeman, a 6-9 forward who averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds for Syracuse, explored offers from several programs, including UConn and Alabama, before making his decision. His move represents a notable acquisition for St. John's as they navigate the competitive landscape of the NCAA transfer portal.
The recruitment of Freeman had become a focal point for Kentucky, which reportedly placed considerable emphasis on securing his commitment to fill a perceived void in its frontcourt. The narrative surrounding Freeman's decision highlighted a bidding war, with sources suggesting St. John's offer exceeded Kentucky's. This situation also impacted Kentucky's recruitment of other targets, such as Sebastian Rancik, who has since committed elsewhere.
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St. John's has been active in the transfer market, also securing commitments from Djorde Jovanovic, a wing player with G League experience, and Quinn Ellis, a British point guard arriving from the EuroLeague. Earlier in the offseason, the team added Bryce Hopkins, a former Providence forward and an All-Big East selection, and Joson Sanon, a guard transferring from Arizona State. These additions signal a broader effort by St. John's, under coach Rick Pitino, to reshape its roster.
The team has seen departures as well, with fan favorite Dylan Darling entering the transfer portal after one season. St. John's continues to be linked with other potential transfer targets, including Moustapha Thiam from Cincinnati and Aiden Sherrell from Alabama, as they aim for a significant roster transformation. The university's approach in the transfer portal underscores a strategic pursuit of established talent to bolster its program.
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