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Enrique Freeman

Enrique Freeman
Freeman with Akron in 2024
No. 8 – Indiana Pacers
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2000-07-29) July 29, 2000 (age 24)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight206 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Martin de Porres
(Cleveland, Ohio)
CollegeAkron (2019–2024)
NBA draft2024: 2nd round, 50th overall pick
Selected by the Indiana Pacers
Playing career2024–present
Career history
2024–presentIndiana Pacers
2024–present→Indiana Mad Ants
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata

Enrique Gabriel Freeman (born July 29, 2000) is an American basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Indiana Mad Ants of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Akron Zips.

College career

After a prep career at St. Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Freeman had no college basketball offers. He accepted an academic scholarship to the University of Akron and at the urging of friends and family, tried out for a walk-on spot with the school's basketball team, earning a roster spot. He played sparingly as a freshman, totaling 13 minutes on the season. He grew four inches between his first and second years and earned a scholarship and a starting role for the Zips. He earned his first Mid-American Conference (MAC) all-defensive team honor.[1]

As Freeman established himself as one of the top defensive players in the MAC during the 2021–22 season, his offense began to develop as well. He averaged a double-double for the season and led the nation in field goal percentage. He earned second-team All-MAC honors and was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year. He led the Zips to a MAC tournament title, and was named the tournament MVP.[2]

Following the 2022–23 season, Freeman declared for the 2023 NBA draft but retained his college eligibility. He worked out for several teams but ultimately decided to return to Akron for his senior season.[3]

Entering his final season at Akron, Freeman was named preseason All-MAC and added to the 20-man watch list for the Karl Malone Award for top power forward in the nation.[4][5] On February 2, 2024, he was named to the 10-man finalist pool for the award.[6]

At the close of the regular season, Freeman was named MAC Player of the Year.[7]

Professional career

Indiana Pacers / Mad Ants (2024–present)

On June 27, 2024, Freeman was selected with the 50th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Draft.[8] On August 8, 2024, Freeman signed a two-way contract with them.[9]

Freeman made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a 115-109 win over the Detroit Pistons, scoring 2 points.[10]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
* Led NCAA Division I

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Akron 7 0 1.9 1.000 — .750 .6 .0 .0 .1 .7
2020–21 Akron 23 20 22.3 .740 — .659 9.2 .3 .5 1.9 7.9
2021–22 Akron 34 34 28.8 .665 .000 .649 10.8 1.4 .5 1.1 13.2
2022–23 Akron 33 33 31.2 .616 .333 .616 11.2 1.9 .6 1.2 16.8
2023–24 Akron 35 35 32.5 .584 .370 .728 12.9* 1.6 .8 1.7 18.6
Career 132 122 27.8 .628 .350 .670 10.6 1.3 .6 1.4 14.0

Personal life

Freeman is of Puerto Rican descent.[11]

References

  1. ^ Pluto, Terry (September 15, 2023). "Meet Akron's Enrique Freeman: If you want to smile, read this story – Terry Pluto". cleveland.com. Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Beaven, Michael (March 16, 2022). "'I am here and it feels great': Enrique Freeman leads Akron into NCAA Tournament". beaconjournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Thomas, George M. (May 31, 2023). "Report: Akron Zips forward Enrique Freeman withdraws from the NBA draft". beaconjournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Freeman, Ali Named Preseason All-MAC, Akron Picked to Finish First". gozips.com. Akron Zips. October 26, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Haley, Ryan (October 26, 2023). "Duke's Filipowski leads 20 power forwards on Karl Malone Award watch list". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  6. ^ Thomas, George M. (February 2, 2024). "Akron Zips basketball forward Enrique Freeman up for Naismith Karl Malone Award". beaconjournal.com. Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "MAC Announces 2023-24 MAC Men's Basketball All-MAC Teams, Specialty Award Winners". getsomemaction.com. Mid-American Conference. March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Dopirak, Dustin (June 27, 2024). "Pacers take nation's leading rebounder Enrique Freeman from Akron with 50th pick". IndyStar. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Indiana Pacers Sign Freeman and Swider". NBA.com. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  10. ^ "Indiana Pacers at Detroit Pistons Box Score, October 23, 2024". BasketballRef. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Quiles, Gabriel (May 5, 2024). "Enrique Freeman Torres se abre paso hacia la NBA: "Está siendo un viaje increíble"". elvocero.com. Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
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