From the moment that he stepped foot in their locker room, the Indiana Pacers learned what those around Northeast Ohio have known all along about Enrique Freeman as a basketball player: He gives every ounce of himself to his team and will do whatever it takes to win.
“His energy, his effort [and] his willingness to be unselfish to play the game on both ends of the floor [stand out the most],” Pacers summer league head coach and former veteran point guard Jannero Pargo said at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “But I think the main thing is his versatility, being able to guard multiple positions. His energy and effort is outstanding.”
“Enrique does all the little things right,” added Pacers teammate Jarace Walker. “He runs the floor, he talks on defense [and he] has high intensity, high energy.”
Enrique Freeman dribbles the basketball for the Akron Zips at the 2024 MAC Tournament. (Photo Credit: Wesley Seyfang/HSLD Sports Media)
Once a walk-on at the University of Akron, the Cleveland native and St. Martin de Porres High School alum scaled the ranks quickly as one of the nation’s top college basketball players — seemingly in the blink of an eye. In each of his last three seasons, he averaged a double-double and increased his scoring and rebounding numbers in succession.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, Freeman led the entire NCAA in 2023-24 with 31 double-doubles, one ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies’ ninth-overall pick, Purdue star Zach Edey.
That, accompanied by an impressive 2024 MAC Tournament and a solid showing in the NCAA Tournament with the Zips, earned him an invite to the G League Elite Camp in Chicago. He turned that into a spot at the NBA Draft Combine, which eventually led to being drafted 50th overall by the Pacers.
Of course, there is way more to Freeman’s story than just this past year, as you’ll hear in his first interview post-draft below, via Tony East of Pacers on SI.
Making the transition from college to pro, Freeman credits his family, Walker and Oscar Tshiebwe as those who have been especially helpful both on and off the court.
With respect to that leap, the recently turned 24-year-old notices the change from being a post-dominant player to primarily being used on the outside.
Less back-to-basket, more face-up situations.
“It is [different], but obviously, I don’t think I got to showcase it a lot at Akron,” Freeman told Hoop Industry after a media appearance in Vegas. “For the last year and a half, I’ve really been working on and really been honing in on my skills on the perimeter, knocking down shots and being able to drive it, seeing the floor and making those reads.
“It’s been different [defending in space], but I have the tools to do that. I think that’s one thing that Indiana believed in me, [that] he can guard multiple positions. I’m just here to show them I can.”
Pargo admires Freeman for taking on those challenges head-on.
“The game is faster from college — no matter what position you play,” Pargo said. “Going from the post to the perimeter is difficult, and I think he’s making the transition pretty smooth. We’re excited for him moving forward and looking forward to what he can do.”
Akron’s Enrique Freeman grabs a rebound at the 2024 MAC Tournament (Photo Credit: Wesley Seyfang/HSLD Sports Media)
At Summer League, Freeman averaged 8.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and a block over five games. He was an incredibly efficient 17-for-28 from the field, good for a 60.7% shooting clip, and showed his improvement offensively. He attacked off the dribble, used his push shot on drives and got to the free-throw line multiple times.
Freeman scored in double figures twice, once off the bench for 14 points on a perfect 5-for-5 performance vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves and again as a starter against the Denver Nuggets with a personal summer-high eight field-goal attempts.
“I think the most rewarding part [of the transition is you’re just surrounded by a bunch of good players, a good coaching staff,” Freeman told Hoop Industry. “Everyone around you is on that level that you’re trying to get to.
“I think the difficult part is making that adjustment. They play faster [and] more physical. You’ve got guys who are more athletic, non-athletic than you and you’ve just got to know how to score and know how to play on the defensive end and make that adjustment.”
Thursday afternoon, Freeman and the Pacers agreed to terms on a two-way contract, per the Athletic.
Based on the feedback from a few weeks ago in Las Vegas, the rookie should be in good hands going forward.
Had the chance to catch up with Enrique Freeman regarding his pro transition after the Pacers’ first win of NBA Summer League.
As an Akron alum as you all know, this is really cool. Will be pulling for Enrique & his teammates’ post-Zips careers. Off to an awesome start 🦘 pic.twitter.com/K7KnTWA4Cf
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) July 16, 2024
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