Rapid Reaction: J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman are returning to Syracuse

Donnie Freeman will return to the Orange and the JMA Wireless Dome next season, joining J.J. Starling.

While it probably was not much of a surprise that the homegrown J.J. Starling is staying in Syracuse, it was a big win when it was officially announced that Donnie Freeman would return to the Orange for his sophomore season.

Starling’s return brings an element of certainty to SU next season, as he led the team in scoring this past season, as well as minutes played and free throws, both made and attempted. The junior will almost certainly return as the starting shooting guard, as the program will look to bring in a starting point guard to complement him in the backcourt.

That shooting guard role is one much more suited for Starling, as he proved this past season that he is much more of a scorer than a set-up man after starting 14 games at the two and a dozen at the point. His return, combined with the arrival of the incoming Kiyan Anthony, almost certainly played a large part in Elijah Moore’s decision to depart the program.

Freeman’s decision to return is a big win for Syracuse. His combination of size and skill, along with his athleticism, make him a tantalizing prospect who has just scratched the surface of the player he can become. That combination makes Freeman’s presence as one of three returning players (expecting Petar Majstorovic will also return) extremely important as a building block for next season as the roster will churn a ton.

While his injury-shortened freshman season featured a mix of peaks and valleys, the better games were more frequent as he gained experience. In his first five games, Freeman shot 42.2 percent from the field, including just 3-of-15 from 3-point range, while averaging 9.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game.

In the last nine games before injury sidelined him, Freeman’s shooting marks jumped sharply to 54.4 percent overall and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, including going 9-for-17 from deep in the last six contests. He also averaged 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game in those contests, including logging double-doubles against ACC opponents Notre Dame and Florida State.

Freeman is not a polished player on both ends, but logged the highest defensive rebounding rate on the Orange last season. As with most young players, his play on defense should improve with on-court experience, although a large part of that will depend on developing chemistry with his new teammates who are to be determined.

In any case, these announcements made for a good day for SU. Freeman and Starling are a solid base for the program to work from as they look to fill a lot of roster spots to complement them.

----

Chat about this story and all things Syracuse and Syracuse recruiting on our premium message board, Cuse Classified!

Follow us on Twitter @TheJuiceOnline, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @SUJuiceOnline and listen to our podcast.

Tips/questions/concerns? E-mail Recruiting Analyst Charles Kang here.

Not a subscriber to The Juice Online? Join today for access to all our premium content and message board community.

1d 7:51 PM ET ago

Topics

PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Catholic Red Offense

PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 16
PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Public Liberty Defense

PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
PA Football Top Returning Players - Suburban One American Defense

PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
PA Football Top Returning Players - Suburban One National Offense

PA Preps names the top returning players for this conference for the 2025 season now! SUBSCRIBERS: Click to the see the full article here now!----------------- What other coverage am I ...
Yahoo Sports - 10h
CoD: Warzone - Season 3 Promo Art Confirms OG Operators Are Returning

Call of Duty: Warzone is bringing back the OG Verdansk map with the launch of Season 3 on April 3, and now the new seasonal promo art for Warzone teases the return of fan-favorite operators from ...
GameSpot - 6d
North Carolina Basketball Needed to Change. Will Its Plan to Return to the Top Pan Out?

The Tar Heels and Coach Hubert Davis cannot afford another down season.
The New York Times - Mar. 15
‘No-ego guy’ Curtis Jones, nation’s top bench scorer, content with ‘sixth starter’ role for Iowa State

Curtis Jones is the leading scorer in the nation among players who primarily come off the bench. It’s a role he’s embraced since he arrived in Ames before last season.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
'Ted Lasso' is coming back. Apple TV+ confirms Jason Sudeikis' hit show will have a fourth season

It's been two years since we last heard from Ted Lasso but the show is officially set to return for a fourth season
ABC News - Mar. 14
Syracuse in the NBA: Brissett returns; Edwards makes debut

March to early April is a rough patch of the season for the NBA. It gets overshadowed by the National College Tournament and marks the home stretch for the professional regular season. Jerami ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d

Rapid Reaction: J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman are returning to Syracuse

Topics

Related

PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Catholic Red Offense

PA Football Top Returning Players - Philadelphia Public Liberty Defense

PA Football Top Returning Players - Suburban One American Defense

PA Football Top Returning Players - Suburban One National Offense

CoD: Warzone - Season 3 Promo Art Confirms OG Operators Are Returning

North Carolina Basketball Needed to Change. Will Its Plan to Return to the Top Pan Out?

‘No-ego guy’ Curtis Jones, nation’s top bench scorer, content with ‘sixth starter’ role for Iowa State

'Ted Lasso' is coming back. Apple TV+ confirms Jason Sudeikis' hit show will have a fourth season

Syracuse in the NBA: Brissett returns; Edwards makes debut

More from Yahoo Sports

Bengals urged to trade for Packers star to replace trade candidate

MLB predictions 2025: Can Dodgers be beat? Opening Day picks for World Series

The non-hater's guide to the 2025 MLB season: Stop whining and enjoy the Sho

Villa defender Tyrone Mings named on Euro 2028 board of directors

Five-star edge rusher projected to commit to Notre Dame over Georgia, others

More in Sports

Bengals urged to trade for Packers star to replace trade candidate

MLB predictions 2025: Can Dodgers be beat? Opening Day picks for World Series

The non-hater's guide to the 2025 MLB season: Stop whining and enjoy the Sho

Villa defender Tyrone Mings named on Euro 2028 board of directors

Five-star edge rusher projected to commit to Notre Dame over Georgia, others