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Run It Back Times Two
3/25/2025 4:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Junior J.J. Starling and freshman Donnie Freeman, the two top scorers on the 2024-25 men's basketball team, have announced their intention to return to Syracuse next season.
Starling averaged a squad-best 17.8 points per game in 26 outings while Freeman posted a 13.4 mark in 14 games during his rookie campaign.
Both players were sidelined by injuries in 2024-25. Starling missed seven games in the early portion of the season because of a hand injury. On the same day Starling returned to the lineup, January 4 at Florida State, Freeman made his last appearance. A foot injury that ultimately required surgery shortened Freeman's year.
Starling was an honorable mention All-ACC selection after finishing seventh in the league in scoring. He also averaged a club-leading 34.6 minutes per game and contributed 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. He had a career-best 38 points in a November double-overtime triumph against Youngstown State. Starling led the Orange with 23 double-digit scoring games and 10 outings with 20-or-more points.
Starling was named to the all-tournament team at the UKG Legends Classic in November. He surpassed 1,000 career points (including his total from one season at Notre Dame) during the course of the season.
Freeman produced double-digit points in nine-of-14 contests and had six double-doubles. He grabbed 10-or-more rebounds seven times. His 7.9 board average ranked second at Syracuse. Freeman converted .504 of his shots, including .333 on his 3-point attempts. He connected on 39-of-49 (.796) from the foul line.
He had 23 points and 12 boards in a Syracuse win against Cornell. His top scoring effort was a 24-point showing versus Albany, another Orange triumph. Freeman tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds in a narrow loss at Notre Dame.
Freeman was named ACC Co-Rookie of the Week or Nov. 25-Dec. 1.
Starling averaged a squad-best 17.8 points per game in 26 outings while Freeman posted a 13.4 mark in 14 games during his rookie campaign.
Both players were sidelined by injuries in 2024-25. Starling missed seven games in the early portion of the season because of a hand injury. On the same day Starling returned to the lineup, January 4 at Florida State, Freeman made his last appearance. A foot injury that ultimately required surgery shortened Freeman's year.
Starling was an honorable mention All-ACC selection after finishing seventh in the league in scoring. He also averaged a club-leading 34.6 minutes per game and contributed 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals per contest. He had a career-best 38 points in a November double-overtime triumph against Youngstown State. Starling led the Orange with 23 double-digit scoring games and 10 outings with 20-or-more points.
Starling was named to the all-tournament team at the UKG Legends Classic in November. He surpassed 1,000 career points (including his total from one season at Notre Dame) during the course of the season.
Freeman produced double-digit points in nine-of-14 contests and had six double-doubles. He grabbed 10-or-more rebounds seven times. His 7.9 board average ranked second at Syracuse. Freeman converted .504 of his shots, including .333 on his 3-point attempts. He connected on 39-of-49 (.796) from the foul line.
He had 23 points and 12 boards in a Syracuse win against Cornell. His top scoring effort was a 24-point showing versus Albany, another Orange triumph. Freeman tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds in a narrow loss at Notre Dame.
Freeman was named ACC Co-Rookie of the Week or Nov. 25-Dec. 1.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballACC Tipoff Recap
Wednesday, October 08
ACC Tipoff | Freeman & Starling
Tuesday, October 07
ACC Tipoff | Adrian Autry on ACCN
Tuesday, October 07
ACC Tipoff | Press Conference
Tuesday, October 07
