Syracuse star forward Donnie Freeman enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Donnie Freeman (1) controls the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Syracuse star sophomore forward Donnie Freeman is headed to the NCAA Transfer Portal after two seasons with the Orange, On3 has learned.

A former top-10 overall recruit in the 2024 class, Freeman was one of the country’s premier freshman last season, averaging 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in just over 25 minutes per game. He returned as a sophomore despite being mocked in the second round of multiple NBA drafts, hoping to improve his stock even further.

His efficiency took a slight hit in 2025-26, but he upped his scoring average to 16.9 PPG while still shooting 47% from the field. Freeman was also one of the ACC’s top rebounders and finished in the top 20 in the league in both free throws attempted and made.

But the Orange struggled as a unit, stumbling to a 15-17 record and 6-12 record. A big part of that was Freeman missing nearly a month in the first half of the season due to a lower leg injury.

During that span, Syracuse was just 5-4 with losses to Houston, Kansas, Iowa State and a win over Tennnessee. However, head coach Adrian Autry was fired after the season and replaced by Siena head coach and former SU legend Gerry McNamara.

With that upheaval, Freeman is now entering college basketball free agency and looking for his next destination with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Bahamas native, who spent his prep years in the D.C. area, is expected to be one of the top players in the portal once he officially enters.