Former Syracuse standout Donnie Freeman will miss the 2026‑27 season after tearing his Achilles tendon during a summer workout, a setback that removes him from the St. John's lineup just as the program looks to build on last year’s Sweet 16 run.
Freeman’s move from the Orange to the Red Storm came after the dismissal of head coach Adrian Autry, and he arrived with the expectation of leading the offense following a 16.5‑point‑per‑game average in the 2024‑25 season.
The injury is the third major medical interruption of his collegiate career; as a freshman he missed the final 19 games of the Syracuse season because of a right‑foot problem, and a year later he sat out nine early non‑conference games with the same foot issue.
His predicament also brings to mind other Syracuse‑affiliated athletes who have suffered Achilles tears, notably Steve Angeli, who ruptured his tendon in a non‑contact situation during a game against Clemson, and Calvin Russell III, who was sidelined during a March practice session.
Road to Recovery
During the recruitment process Freeman had also flirted with Kentucky and Louisville before committing to St. John's, a choice that now hinges on his ability to regain full health and prove that his best basketball still lies ahead.
Coaches and teammates remain optimistic that the setback will not define his trajectory, pointing to his work ethic and the support staff at St. John's as key factors in his rehabilitation.