With three months until the College Basketball season starts to take shape, programs begin to ramp up offseason workouts. With that also comes horrific news, players suffering potential tragic injuries — one striking down in Queens.
Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman suffered a non-contact Achilles injury during workouts and will miss the entirety of the 2026-27 season, head coach Rick Pitino announced on X. On Wednesday, the incoming junior underwent Achilles Tendon surgery to repair the injury.
In the announcement, Pitino added:
“Donnie is an awesome young man, we will get him back better than ever!”
Freeman was a big-time acquisition for the Johnnies, expected to fill out their front-court that lost Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins to the NBA Draft. Freeman was the perfect fit for a Rick Pitino system, averaging 16.5 points per contest along with seven rebounds during his sophomore season with Syracuse — receiving an honorable mention for All-ACC honors.
The Red Storm now have a Freeman-sized hole in the starting lineup, with the junior projected as the Johnnies starting power forward after acquiring Tounde Yessoufou following his announcement to return to college basketball on May 28. As for options to man the power forward position, St. John’s brought in former G-League player Babacar Sane and international prospect Dorđije Jovanović.
Jovanović has significant experience in the NBA G League and Adriatic League. Jovanović is a natural court-spacer and spot-up shooter. He shot 38% from three-point range in the ABA League for Budućnost. This ability to stretch the floor is essential for a St. John’s offense looks to create driving lanes for its guards. For now, St. John’s must continue preparing for a season where they look for a third-consecutive Big East title.
