Donnie Freeman, a former forward at Syracuse University, has officially committed to St. John's University for the upcoming basketball season. In his sophomore year at Syracuse, Freeman played 23 games, starting in 21, and averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 47.4% from the field and 30.2% from three-point range. Freeman, who had a challenging freshman season due to injuries, was a five-star recruit from IMG Academy in Florida, ranked as the No. 9 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle. His decision to join St. John's comes as the Red Storm have lost five players to the NCAA Transfer Portal since the end of the season. Freeman chose St. John's over strong contenders like Kentucky, Alabama, and UConn. The Red Storm had a successful 2025-26 season, finishing with a 30-7 record and winning both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles before falling to Duke in the Sweet Sixteen. Head coach Rick Pitino reflected positively on the team's unique camaraderie and determination throughout the season. The NCAA Transfer Portal is currently open until April 21, allowing athletes to explore new opportunities.