The transfer portal is still churning, and Kentucky has come up empty once again this time with Donnie Freeman choosing Rick Pitino and St. John’s. The news was first reported by Sydney Cuillier of 247 Sports.
Freeman had recently visited Kentucky, and many believed the Wildcats were close to landing him. But a late surge by Pitino and the Red Storm flipped the script, leaving Mark Pope and his staff once again dealing with a high-profile recruiting setback.
According to 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein, Freeman is one of the most naturally gifted forwards in his class. He’s a “bouncy finisher” around the rim, capable of shooting over defenders from the mid-post or stepping out to the three-point line. Once considered “undeveloped physically,” his sophomore season at Syracuse showed progress in turning elite athletic potential into steady production.
That said, Freeman is a classic high-risk, high-reward prospect. The talent is undeniable, but so are the injury concerns. He needed surgery on a recurring toe issue, and if health continues to be a problem, Pope might not actually regret missing out.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds last season, but played in only 23 games. Over two college seasons, a lingering toe problem has limited him to just 37 total appearances a major red flag, though one Kentucky seemed willing to overlook, reportedly offering him around $3 million.
In the end, the competition was too tough. Kentucky managed to beat out UConn, Florida, and Tennessee, but couldn’t hold off Pitino. Losing a player of Freeman’s caliber stings, especially after a prominent visit, but his medical history does raise the possibility that Kentucky might be better off in the long run particularly given their recent run of bad injury luck.
With the portal deadline fast approaching (midnight on April 21 for players to enter), Pope will need to quickly shift focus to other frontcourt targets. Keep in mind, commitments can happen after the deadline, but players must be in the portal by then. Who should Pope turn to next?
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