Syracuse, NY ― Syracuse’s Donnie Freeman, who has not played since the Orange’s fourth game of the season on Nov. 18 with a leg injury, will be available today as Syracuse hosts Clemson at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Freeman was expected to be ready for SU’s ACC opener, but Syracuse director of athletics Pete Moore confirmed Wednesday that the 6-foot-9 sophomore will be available.
How much, if at all, Freeman plays will be up to SU coach Adrian Autry, according to Moore. Syracuse enters the game with a 9-4 record, while Clemson is 10-3.
Freeman, SU’s leading scorer at 17.8 points per game, has missed the Orange’s last nine games with an injured right leg.
In a sign of progress toward a return, Freeman began suiting up in uniform and warming up before games beginning with the Orange’s game against Mercyhurst on Dec. 17.
Freeman was SU’s leading scorer through the first four games of the season, averaging 17.8 points per game as the Orange started 4-0. He suffered the injury in a 78-73 win over Monmouth on Nov. 18.
Syracuse went 5-4 without Freeman.
The Orange lost to three top-25 teams – Houston, Kansas and Iowa State – at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Syracuse then beat No. 13 Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome on Dec. 2 before defeating St. Joseph’s, only to fall 70-69 in favor of Hofstra.
Freeman suffered another injury to the same leg last season. After playing in the first 14 games of the season, Freeman was sidelined for the final 19 games after undergoing foot surgery.
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