Syracuse Basketball: 5-star Donnie Freeman snubbed by Naismith All-America teams

The Naismith Trophy high school All-America teams were disclosed in recent days, and Syracuse basketball 2024 commit Donnie Freeman wasn’t on any of the three squads, nor was he included in the honorable-mention category.

I recognize that as a Syracuse University alum, I have Orange-colored glasses on. At the same time, I closely track high school hoops, and the 6-foot-9 Freeman got totally hosed by the Naismith Trophy.

Here’s why. The five-star power forward from Washington, D.C., plays in the country’s top high conference, the 14-member Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic (“EYBL Scholastic”).

Playing against elite competition in the EYBL Scholastic and at other showcases during the current 2023-24 season, Freeman has proven electric as a senior standout at the powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

To date, he’s been invited to at least three All-America games that I’m aware of, and he’s also a leading scorer and rebounder in EYBL Scholastic play.

Syracuse basketball 2024 commit Donnie Freeman is ranked as high as No. 10 nationally.

This is my main beef with the Naismith Trophy high school All-America groups. There are a first team, a second team and a third team, each with five inclusions. That’s 15 players.

Additionally, there are 15 guys included in the honorable-mention category. If my math is correct, this brings us to a total of 30 high school prospects.

I’d argue you’d be hard-pressed to find 30 high school players who are having better 2023-24 terms than Freeman, who also won an AAU championship last summer on Nike’s EYBL circuit.

Freeman’s IMG squad currently sits at 20-8 overall and 7-5 in EYBL Scholastic contests. In new national rankings from ESPN and MaxPreps that came out in recent days, the Ascenders were in the top 10 around the country.

Soon, the eight-team field for the season-ending high school national championship tournament, now known as the Chipotle Nationals, will be unveiled.

I recently caught up with several high school hoops experts who say that IMG is a significant contender to be invited to the 2024 Chipotle Nationals, which will take place from April 4 to April 6 at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Ind., with television coverage on ESPN channels.

In EYBL Scholastic encounters, Freeman is averaging 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while connecting on 53 percent from the field.

When I wrote this article, those numbers placed him within the top 10 in scoring, the top five in rebounding and the top 10 in field-goal shooting percentage during EYBL Scholastic affairs.

If that wasn’t “good” enough to receive inclusion on one of the three Naismith Trophy All-America teams, or at least get an honorable-mention nod, respectfully, that’s non-sense.

Numerous recruiting services currently rank Freeman, who is officially signed with Syracuse basketball, as five stars and in the top 25 overall within the senior cycle. On3 places him at No. 10 nationwide and No. 1 at power forward.

Lately, Freeman has been selected for the upcoming Allen Iverson Roundball Classic, the McDonald’s All-America game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

Last weekend, Freeman earned high praise from national analysts and scouts for his performances at the Pete Hollis Invitational in Greenville, S.C., including one IMG victory where Freeman tallied 35 points, 16 rebounds and two assists.