The 2022 prospects are front and center right now but that didn’t keep one of the premiere 2023 bigs from coming off the board as Owen Freeman of Bradley-Bourbannis in Illinois verbally committed to Iowa.
This is a recruiting coupe for the Hawkeyes as Freeman was one of the fast rising 2023 prospects who was being heavily pursued by Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Marquette, Butler, Purdue, etc. amongst others. “I felt like that’s where I am supposed to be. I am a believer and I was praying about it and that’s where I felt like I should be.” Freeman said. “I have the special connection with the coaches and I connected with the players and that’s what really drove my decision to choose Iowa.”
Equipped with a 6-10 220 pound frame, Freeman is a versatile and talented forward/center that can impact the game in a variety of ways and the connection to the staff and the program was critical in his decision making. “My fit, the connection I share with the coaches was very important and just that major gut feeling that I had after my visit that that was where I was supposed to be,” he said. After taking a visit to Iowa this past weekend he knew it was the place for him and he knows what he needs to improve on to take that next step adding, “I need to improve my body for sure. I watched practice and it’s a lot more physical and a lot more up-tempo and I need to become stronger and faster because that’s where I believe I need to improve the most in my game.”
A highly skilled big, Freeman captured First Team All-Underclassmen honors on the 2021 NY2LA Basketball Association circuit and that stellar play the past 8-12 months saw him become one of the more coveted bigs in the country and he was trending upward fast. Freeman can score at multiple levels, he has solid vertical athleticism, his agility is advanced for a young big, and he has the ability to impact the game both with his back to the basket and facing the rim. He runs the floor and all told he’s an emerging big with a high ceiling that has his best basketball in front of him. He should be a perfect fit for the Big Ten and is an absolute steal for the Iowa Hawkeyes program.
A high character young man, Freeman is humbled and happy to be a Hawkeye. “I just want to thank God for the blessing he’s given me to play this game and the blessings he’s given me in my life. And to my parents for all of the time, money, and effort they’ve put into me. I’m ready to roll. GO HAWKEYES.”
Freeman plays with the Mid-Pro Academy during the grassroots travel season.