Donnie Freeman Named McDonald’s All-American

Syracuse basketball signee Donnie Freeman has been named a McDonald’s All-American. The roster was released on Tuesday, and Freeman made the cut. He is the first Orange commit since Malachi Richardson (2015) to be named to the McDonald’s All-American roster. Current Syracuse guard JJ Starling was previously, but was a Notre Dame commit at the time.

The news comes on the same day that Freeman was given a fifth star in ESPN’s updated 2024 recruiting rankings. 

The 6-9, 200 pounder transferred to IMG Academy this offseason to spend his senior year playing against better competition in order to further develop his game. Nearly every national recruiting analyst at various media outlets who has watched him this season has praised the growth in his game. Improving his consistency defensively, a smooth delivery on his jump shot, better footwork and ball handling were among the areas most noted. In addition to his bump from ESPN, Freeman also moved up to 21^st in 247Sports latest rankings.

Freeman is a physical specimen with a limitless ceiling. He is only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of his potential, but should make an impact at Syracuse right away. He committed to the Orange back in May over offers from Alabama, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, LSU, Marquette, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Texas, Virginia Tech, Xavier and others. He then made it official, signing with Syracuse this past November.