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https://hoopshype.com/lists/2024-draft-workouts-tracker/ Freeman has worked out with 13 teams per Hoops Hype: Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavs Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Minnesota Timberwolves New York Knicks Orlando Magic San Antonio Spurs Utah Jazz

It is amazing that Akron has a potential first round draft pick who was a walk on player. I remember Freeman's first games and the only thing that stood out was he had the skinniest legs of any basketball player I have ever seen. He looked like a walk on and I never thought he would get any substantial playing time. You have to give Groce and his staff for developing Freeman. His progress through the 5 years with the team was truly amazing!!! That being said, our best opportunity to win an NCAA game was against UCLA when Freeman was a 2nd year student. Considering Freeman's talent, Groce failed to build a better team around him his senior year. He had three big misses in Prather, Thornton and Scott. He just needed a point guard that could drive and shoot. Tribble was a 2 guard playing the point and Ali was a wing playing the two. This team never hit the next gear that we were all expecting at the beginning of the season. I really hope to see Freeman in the NBA!!

Link sould be free here: https://open.substack.com/pub/edemirnba/p/enrique-freeman-scouting-report?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

Starts at about the 29 minute mark: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/baskin-phelps-0ab89/episodes/hour-2-dans-trade-targets-for-the-guardians-sam-amico-could-monty-williams-be-in-contention-for-the-cavs-job-d52df

Sam Amico was on 92.3 today. Mentioned how well Freeman has been shooting in his workouts. Stock is way up and could see him going in the late first.

"Failed" isn't a word I would use to describe "John Groce."

An NCAA Tournament win would do more but I wouldn't discount what having an NBA player could do for the program, especially since Freeman seems very close to Groce and loves Akron. Having an NBA player who will likely be a willing pitch man for the program and Coach Groce is another tool the coaching staff will have at their disposal. I also hope Athletics has a plan to capitalize on Freeman getting drafted. It should be in place already, as it now seems to be a question of when he's drafted and not if. IMO they didn't capitalize on his star power while he was here, but the past is the past and they now get a second chance of sorts. Him being drafted needs to be made a huge f'ing deal. Billboards congratulating him around the city. A giant display with a photo of him holding his NBA team's jersey on draft night in and/or outside of the JAR. And don't wait - hang #25 in the JAR this coming season. He's the greatest Zips player ever, he's everything you want in a young man representing your university, and there's literally zero reason to wait. I've said it before and I will say it again - if Athletics wants to be viewed as a serious program, they need to act like one. I'll be watching closely and hoping they step up to the plate with what is an absolutely incredible opportunity for them.

On my phone but we’ve received a verbal from 6’0”, 210 Tallahassee, FL LB Gavin James

Even if sending Enrique to the NBA isn’t a major draw in recruiting, it would remove a negative recruiting tactic done by other schools/coaches. They wouldn’t be able to tell an athlete he has NBA potential so why would you go to Akron where you are less likely to get noticed by NBA scouts. That said, every time Akron is mentioned during the NCAAT it is instant advertising. So I have to agree with you all.

Is the Desiree strip club still in business? That would make for a hell of a logo on the 50.

Kraft MAC and Cheese Conference

A few roster notes: OL Keon Kindred is no longer listed. DL LaJoshua Jackson is no longer listed. DB David Jester is no longer listed. DB Zayden Laing-Taylor is no longer listed. JUCO signee WR Jacobi Moore still isn’t listed. He’s probably not coming at this point. DT Zy Brockington (Memphis) has been added. Not that it matters much, but both of the Fraziers are currently listed as DEs. All other signings that were not enrolled in the spring are now listed. 2 Long Snappers, 3 Kicker, and 1 Punter are currently listed.

The McDonald’s Big MAC

There is a new high definition ribbon board being installed at the base of the upperdeck on the east grandstand in addition to the new main board. This and the size of the main board will open up much more in the way of local sponsorship/advertising. BTW, all of this was paid for by Learfield. Around $1 million.

For any nerds out there like myself, this is some interesting stuff.