What's happened
St. John’s has learned that Donnie Freeman has suffered an Achilles injury and will miss the 2026-27 season after surgery. The transfer from Syracuse was expected to anchor the Red Storm frontcourt, but Coach Rick Pitino says Freeman is out for the year. The team will need others to step up as they rebuild from a strong 2025-26 run.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Freeman’s absence creates an early, high-stakes test for Pitino’s frontcourt rotation. The Red Storm must recalibrate quickly, leaning on newcomers and existing contributors to fill the gap.
- The injury shifts attention to how Pitino reshapes recruiting and development to replace a veteran scorer and rebounder. This may influence team identity and 2026-27 expectations.
- The longer-term impact hinges on Freeman’s recovery timeline and how quickly he can regain form, potentially affecting St. John’s postseason aspirations.
How we got here
Freeman transferred from Syracuse to St. John’s in the off-season, was projected as a top frontcourt player, and joins a program coming off Big East titles and a Sweet 16 appearance. Several frontcourt players were drafted, creating a void for the new season.
Our analysis
- New York Post: Donnie Freeman’s injury and surgery announced by Rick Pitino. - AP News: Freeman’s Achilles injury and season-ending status confirmed by St. John’s. - 247Sports profiles Freeman’s transfer and prior Syracuse production.
Go deeper
- How will St. John’s adjust its frontcourt rotation this season?
- What impact does Freeman’s injury have on recruiting and next season’s outlook?
- When is Freeman expected to return, and how will that shape the team’s development?
More on these topics
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Rick Pitino - American basketball coach
Richard Andrew Pitino is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach for Iona College. He is also the head coach of Greece's senior national team.
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Bryce Hopkins - American basketball player (born 2002)
Bryce Robert Hopkins (born September 7, 2002) is an American basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, Providence Friars, and St. John's Red Storm. He was a consensus top-40 recruit and one of the top players in the 2021 class.
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Big East Conference - Athletic conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletic conference that competes in NCAA Division I in all sports except football, which is not sponsored.