Syracuse men's basketball has lost its leading scorer from last season.
Forward Donnie Freeman, who paced the Orange with more then 16 points a game as a sophomore last season, announced his transfer from SU on social media Monday.
"Syracuse gave me a place to grow, compete, and be challenged," Freeman wrote in his statement. "They welcomed me with open arms from day one and never stopped supporting and believing in me through the highs and the tough moments.
"I'm thankful for everyone I've met during my time at Syracuse, the coaches, my teammates, and the staff, for helping shape me into who I am today."
Freeman came to Syracuse as a five-star recruit — SU's highest-rated since Carmelo Anthony — in 2023. He played in 37 games across his two seasons with the Orange, missing the final 19 games of his freshman season with a foot injury and nine more last season after an injury to the same foot.
He averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 14 appearances as a freshman in 2023-24. Last year, he averaged 16.5 points and brought in 7.2 rebounds per game across 23 games played.
Freeman marks the fourth — and most substantial — departure from SU so far this offseason. He joins guards Nait George, Luke Fennell and Aaron Womack as players who've announced intentions to transfer from the Orange.
The expectation is for Syracuse to undergo a major roster overhaul this offseason. Head coach Adrian Autry was fired in early March after going 49-48 across three seasons and former SU player and assistant coach Gerry McNamara was hired to replace him.
In his first days as Syracuse head coach, McNamara has added Slovenian forward Mark Morano Mahmutovič and former Siena guard Gavin Doty.
