Gonzaga’s first big target in the NCAA transfer portal has announced his decision, choosing to join Greg McDermott and the Creighton Bluejays out of a final four that also included Gonzaga, Arkansas, and Michigan.
Freeman entered the portal back in mid-March after Iowa moved on from head coach Fran McCaffery. The team has since moved on and hired Ben McCollum from Drake, who led the Bulldogs to a Round 1 upset in the Sweet 16 over Missouri.
Freeman however will join a Bluejays team that has been anchored down low by Ryan Kalkbrenner since 2020, and could use another two-way low post presence.
As a sophomore this past season, Freeman averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 19 games played, shooting 66.5% on two pointers and 31.3% (5-16) from three. He missed the final six weeks of the season due to a finger injury.
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Freeman, the Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2023-24, is expected to be among the best big men available this portal cycle. His footwork down low and touch around the rim would have made him an ideal fit in Gonzaga’s offense, which relies on a heavy dose of paint touches.
Instead the Zags will continue to scour the portal market, knowing at least one frontcourt player – Ben Gregg – is out the door while waiting to see if Graham Ike or Michael Ajayi will return for one more season.
Gonzaga is not just looking for bigs, with Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent and near 20 point per game wing Treysen Eaglestaff both reporting the Zags have reached out.
Related: Former Gonzaga Target and McDonald’s All-American Enters NCAA Transfer Portal
