At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over fifty players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight James Freeman of Freedom High School.
We’ve seen Freeman countless times during the travel ball season, including at our previous JMAC Showcase, where we stated, “The wing prospect is very active at all times and plays with an exceptionally high motor. Freeman is a strong athlete with nice size and length, which allows his abilities as a defender to get frequently utilized. He provides solid secondary ball-handling and scores on drives to the basket pretty well, but also possesses a decent shot from distance.”
Arguably one of the most productive all-around players from North Carolina last season, Freeman remains among the top unsigned seniors available. His nightly averages of 19.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, and 2.6 SPG were undeniably impressive. Per MaxPreps, Freeman was the only player in the entire state to reach allof those averages and also stands out as the fifth-leading playmaker. It should go without saying, but Freeman definitely has a place at the next level. His IQ, unselfishness, and two-way versatility should already have scholarship-level programs in pursuit, so it’ll be exciting to see where he decides to further his playing career.