Syracuse Basketball: Donnie Freeman, named McDonald’s All-American, skyrockets to 5 stars

It’s proven quite a lovely few days for Syracuse basketball 2024 commit Donnie Freeman, an elite power forward from Washington, D.C.

On Monday, the 6-foot-9 Freeman made one of the largest jumps across the country in updated national rankings from ESPN, while vaulting to five-star status.

On Tuesday, Freeman got word that he was one of 24 high school boys who will be McDonald’s All-Americans for the current 2023-24 season.

Orange Nation is so unbelievably happy for Donnie and sends a heartfelt congratulations to this talented young man.

Freeman, as I’ve noted in numerous columns lately, is having a strong senior year to date for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He has won high praise from multiple national analysts and scouts for his performances at top-flight showcases over the past two months, including some games with ‘Cuse coaches in attendance.

To that end, in late December, ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi named Freeman the “most improved” prospect in the 2024 cycle.

Syracuse basketball commit Donnie Freeman is now a five-star player.

The last ‘Cuse player to be a McDonald’s All-American was Malachi Richardson in 2015. Current Orange guard J.J. Starling, a sophomore, played in the McDonald’s All-America game in 2022, although was at Notre Dame in his freshman term before transferring to the ‘Cuse this past off-season.

In total, more than 20 Syracuse basketball players, in the history of the program, have been McDonald’s All-Americans, so Freeman is in some pretty select company.

By the way, this year’s McDonald’s All-America game will take place on Tuesday, April 2, at the Toyota Center in Houston. The tip-off is scheduled for 9 pm EST, with television coverage on ESPN. I can’t wait to see Donnie suit up in this prestigious annual event.

Freeman is officially signed with the Orange, alongside four-star shooting guard Elijah Moore from New York City in the team’s 2024 class.

Freeman and IMG compete in the nation’s top high school conference, the 14-member Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Scholastic (“EYBL Scholastic”).

At the time of this writing, Freeman was in the top 10 in points per game and in the top three in rebounds per contest within the EYBL Scholastic.

About a week ago, Freeman was snubbed by not getting named to the Naismith Trophy’s mid-season watch list for the 2023-24 season, but I’m delighted that he received inclusion for the McDonald’s All-America game.

When ESPN refreshed its national ratings for the senior cycle, Freeman arrived as five stars, No. 19 overall and No. 3 at power forward.

Also this week, 247Sports updated its 2024 national rankings, putting Freeman as four stars, No. 21 overall and No. 5 at power forward. Via 247Sports, he’s roughly five spots from being a five-star prospect, according to that recruiting service.

When I wrote this story on Tuesday night, both the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and the industry-generated On3 Industry Ranking had Freeman inside the top 30 in his class.

Assuming he continues to shine at IMG, Freeman can compete for five-star rankings with the two composite rating systems.