Syracuse basketball announced on Saturday afternoon that freshman Donnie Freeman will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.
The Orange announced the season-ending surgery prior to the start of Syracuse’s game against Boston College on Feb. 8. According to the team’s statement, Freeman will have foot surgery next week, and the recovery will sideline him for the remainder of the season. There are eight regular season games remaining.
“While his presence on the court will be missed, Donnie’s health and well-being are our top priority,” Syracuse said in its social media statement. “We expect him to make a full return to basketball (and) will support him throughout this process.
Freeman’s last game was against Florida State on Jan. 4, and he’s missed the last nine games since. The freshman starter had averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds. At the time of the injury, Freeman was leading the team in rebounds per game.
Freeman’s shortened season is still one of the best first-year performances by a freshman in 50 years. He sits behind behind Carmelo Anthony, Dale Shackleford, Derrick Coleman and Oshae Brissett, respectively, for average rebounds per game by a freshman.
Originally from Washington, D.C., Freeman was a McDonald’s All-American and played on the Bahamas National Team during the Olympic qualifiers last summer.