Syracuse, N.Y. ― Donnie Freeman, an incoming freshman at Syracuse University, played for the Bahamas in the recent FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Spain.
The Bahamas came up one win shy of earning a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, falling to host Spain, 86-78, in the championship game on Sunday.
But Freeman’s introduction to international play came before he ever left the United States.
“For me, training camp in Houston was a shock,’’ Freeman said.
The Bahamas team gathered in Houston before leaving for Spain. It was there that Freeman got the chance to practice and work out with NBA veterans like Buddy Hield, Deandre Ayton and Eric Gordon.
“You’re playing against pros,’’ Freeman said. “I had to get used to the speed of the game and the physicality. Every time I’ve played, I’ve played with people my own age. I had to adapt and find my way in.
“It was an adjustment for sure.’’
Freeman, who spent his high school senior year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is ranked No. 6 in the 2024 recruiting class by both ESPN.com and on3.com. He played in both the McDonald’s and Jordan Brand high school All-America games.
The 18-year-old Freeman was eligible to play for the Bahamas because he was born there. He moved to the Washington D.C. area with his family when he was 6 years old.
The Bahamas went into the Olympic Qualifying Tournament as the 57th ranked country in FIBA’s world rankings. Bahamas proceeded to beat No. 20 Finland, No. 15 Poland and No. 28 Lebanon to advance to Sunday’s championship game against 2nd-ranked Spain.
“For me, it was my first time playing against Europeans,’’ Freeman said. “In America, we do a lot of iso ball and ball screens. In Europe, they set a lot of off-ball screens and back-screens. They take their time and run the shot clock down. And they’re a lot older.’’
Freeman had another adjustment to make. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t playing. He appeared in just one game in Spain, logging five minutes in a win over Finland.
Freeman, just 18 years old, was on a team with NBA veterans and older players with experience in international pro leagues.
“I had never been in that position before,’’ Freeman said. “I’ve either played or had a role. This was different. This was such a small window. It was tough. I had to grow up quick and not be a cancer on the team.’’
Freeman said Ayton, the 25-year-old center for the Portland Trail Blazers and No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, became a mentor during the team’s time together.
“Deandre Ayton took me under his wing,’’ Freeman said. “He was a real role model. On the court and off the court, really. On the court, there were little things he’d teach me.’’
He watched the older players, picking up on their habits and the way they prepared for games.
“They get to the gym way earlier,’’ Freeman said. “Their preparation as far as scouting and knowing the opponent. Their attention to detail. That’s something I’m going to take with me to Syracuse.’’
When the FIBA tournament ended, he returned home by flying from Valenica to Munich, Munich to Chicago and Chicago to D.C. But only after missing a connecting flight and spending an extra five hours in O’Hare International Airport.
After spending this week with his family, Freeman said he hopes to get to the SU campus next week. He said he talks to the SU coaches daily.
“They’re excited for me to get up there,’’ Freeman said. “They want to help me reach my goals and I want to help get Syracuse basketball back to where it needs to be.’’
Contact Mike Waters anytime: Email | Twitter
Stories by Mike Waters
- Could Syracuse, Le Moyne play exhibition game to benefit a local charity? (Mike’s Mailbox)
- Early impressions of Syracuse basketball’s 4 new transfers: ‘Better than what we saw on film’
- Inside Dwight Freeney’s Hall of Fame after-party: ‘The most amazing thing I’ve ever been to’
- Syracuse basketball, football alums to participate in Coming Back Together game: ‘It keeps us connected’