Freeman's season ends before it begins
St. John’s forward Donnie Freeman will miss the entire 2026‑27 campaign after tearing his Achilles tendon during an offseason workout, a blow that removes one of the program’s most anticipated talents from the roster.
Freeman, who transferred to St. John’s from Syracuse this summer, had been slated to anchor the Red Storm’s frontcourt after a two‑year stint at his previous school where he posted 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 37 appearances. The 2024 recruiting class had labeled him a top prospect, and his arrival had raised expectations that he could help the team defend the Big East regular‑season and tournament titles it captured last year.
The Red Storm’s recent résumé includes a historic run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, the first such appearance since 1999, and back‑to‑back championships in the league. Coach Rick Pitino, now in his second year at the helm, has emphasized depth and versatility, but the loss of Freeman forces a reshaping of the lineup.
Adding to the challenge, St. John’s must replace three frontcourt starters who have already been drafted by NBA teams, a depletion that leaves the roster thin at the power‑forward and center positions. The staff is expected to look internally and on the transfer market for replacements before the season opener.
Meanwhile, Syracuse is reportedly in talks to schedule a non‑conference game against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, a matchup that would pit the two former conference rivals against each other in a neutral‑site showcase. The potential meeting underscores the lingering regional rivalry and could provide an early barometer for both programs.
Other notable figures linked to the program include former Syracuse standouts Zuby Ejiofor, Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins, who have been mentioned in early speculation about possible contributions or departures as the roster evolves.