Braden Freeman emerging as Class of 2025 prospect
Braden Freeman is proud to be the younger brother of Owen Freeman, who is about to start his first year of college at the University of Iowa. But, Braden Freeman is also about to embark on creating his own path on the basketball court.
If the results from this summer are any indication, the talented 6-foot-6 wing from Moline, IL is well on his way to doing just that. Freeman had a strong spring and summer playing for his Mid-Pro AAU program out of central Illinois and now he is about to assume a larger leadership role for his high school team as their point guard.
“I feel like I took a step in the right direction this spring and summer with my AAU team. I showed that I could score and handle the ball,” Freeman said. “I think I am more of a stretch big man right now. I am going to be playing point for Moline, so that will help diversify my game.”
Playing point guard at Moline means following in the footsteps for Brock Harding, who is also a freshman with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Freeman said he learned a lot from watching Illinois Mr. Basketball operate last season for the Maroons.
“It’s going to be some big shoes to fill for sure. I think the biggest thing is how he communicated. I learned that was important. He also found a way to produce in some way in every single game that he played and he just competed in every setting.”
Last season was one of adjustments for Freeman. He and his brother transferred to Moline and he had deal with recovering from a concussion and broken wrist.
“It was a process for me for sure last year. Later in the season I was able to get used to the guys I was around and felt comfortable.”
This spring and summer was much better for the talented prospect in the Class of 2025. College coaches took notice and have started to reach out. He has an offer on the table from Incarnate Word and a host of other schools have been in contact with Freeman.
He heard from Matt Gatens from Iowa, Western Michigan, Eastern Illinois, Pennsylvania, App State, Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, Murray State, Illinois State, IPFW, SIUE, SEMO, Valpo, and UIC.
While it certainly helps that his brother was a highly recruited prospect, Braden Freeman knows he has to show the coaches that he can compete and excel at the highest level.
“I have to show coaches that our games are different. We are obviously different types of players and I want to show them that I can compete and play at a high level on a consistent basis.”
At this point, Freeman doesn’t have any visits scheduled for this fall, but it’s safe to assume that at some point he will be headed to Iowa City for an unofficial trip.
