Enrique Freeman has become one of the NBA’s most intriguing young big men on a two-way deal with the Indiana Pacers. At 6’7″ with elite rebounding and defensive instincts, Freeman parlayed a walk-on college career at Akron into a second-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. Now in his rookie season, he’s splitting time between the Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, while laying the groundwork for a long NBA career.
Enrique Freeman’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Enrique Gabriel Freeman |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 2000 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | University of Akron (Communications major) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 220 lb |
| Turned Pro | 2024 (Drafted 50th overall by Indiana Pacers) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $1 million |
| Salary | $578,577 (two-way contract) |
| Career Earnings | $578,577 |
| N/A | |
| N/A |
Early Career
Enrique Freeman’s basketball journey began at St. Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he emerged as a late bloomer. Despite averaging a modest 12 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior, Freeman earned First-Team All-Lake Effect Conference honors and showed flashes of defensive prowess that would define his game¹. Overlooked by major college programs, he walked on at the University of Akron, determined to prove himself.
Freeman redshirted his first year but gradually carved out a role as a backup forward. By his sophomore season, he was contributing meaningful minutes off the bench. His relentless energy on the boards and shot-blocking caught coaches’ eyes. As a junior, Freeman earned Mid-American Conference (MAC) All-Defensive Team honors and averaged a double-double in multiple games².
Freeman’s senior year was a breakout campaign. He averaged 18.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game over 35 starts, shooting an efficient 58.4 percent from the field². He became the first Zip in the modern two-round draft era to be selected, finishing his Akron career with 1,843 points (third all-time), 1,405 rebounds (first all-time) and 188 blocks (second all-time)².
His 31 double-doubles tied an NCAA single-season record alongside legends David Robinson and Armando Bacot. Freeman also collected a slew of awards: MAC Player of the Year, MAC Defensive Player of the Year, two-time MAC Tournament MVP and AP All-American honorable mention².
Freeman’s path from walk-on to NBA prospect was marked by summer showcases. After the NCAA Tournament, he impressed at the Portsmouth Invitational and G League Combine, earning an invite to the NBA Combine where scouts raved about his motor, rim protection and rebounding instincts². Though viewed as undersized for a traditional center, Freeman’s positional versatility and defensive IQ made him an appealing second-round pick.
Professional Career
Freeman with the 50th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, making him the seventh Akron alum ever drafted. He signed a one-year two-way contract, allowing him to practice and play up to 50 NBA games while also starring for the Mad Ants.
Freeman made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, logging two points in a win over Detroit. Though his NBA minutes have been limited, his G League stint has showcased his readiness for a larger role.
Freeman didn’t debut in the G League until the Winter Showcase in December but quickly found his stride. Over 16 combined games, he averaged 16.9 points and 10.0 rebounds, recording six double-doubles.
From mid-January through late March, he grabbed at least nine boards in 11 straight games, including six consecutive games with 10+ rebounds. His standout performance came on March 3, when he poured in 30 points on 14-of-19 shooting along with 10 rebounds against Raptors 905³.
Freeman’s rookie year stats are equally impressive. He averaged nearly one block per game in limited sample size and has shown promise as a switch-capable forward. Scouts note his footwork, post instincts and willingness to hedge on pick-and-rolls.
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While Freeman’s shooting range remains a work in progress-he shot 72.8 percent from the line and 37.0 percent from three in college-his commitment to adding touch from beyond the arc has been evident in practice and G League play².
Freeman has earned praise from coaching staff for his work ethic and team-first attitude. He splits practice reps with veteran bigs, learning nuances of NBA spacing and positioning. Though he’s likely to spend most of his rookie season in Indianapolis’ system, Freeman’s long-term projection is as a high-energy defender and rebounder off the bench, with the potential to stretch the floor if his jumper develops.
Enrique Freeman’s Net Worth Details
Enrique Freeman’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Contract
Enrique Freeman inked a one-year two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers in July 2024, guaranteeing him $578,577 for the 2024–25 season. Under the terms of this deal, he can shuttle between the Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants, for up to 50 NBA game activations while earning a prorated NBA salary and a G League salary when with the Mad Ants.
This structure not only allows Freeman to develop at both levels but also gives Indiana the flexibility to convert his contract into a standard NBA deal at any point if he earns a full-time roster spot.
Salary
Freeman’s salary is split between NBA and G League service. When he’s called up to the Pacers’ active roster, he earns a prorated portion of the NBA rookie minimum-bringing his on-court pay up to a total of $578,577 if he hits the maximum 50 NBA game activations.
During periods with the Mad Ants, he receives the standard G League rate of roughly $75,000 for the season. This structure rewards him for each day on an NBA bench while still providing a solid income when he’s developing in the G League.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | – | $0 |
| 2024–25 | Indiana Pacers (two-way) | $578,577 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Indiana Pacers | 22 | 1 | 8.2 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .432 | .100 | .684 |
| Career | – | 22 | 1 | 8.2 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | .432 | .100 | .684 |
FAQs
1. Who is Enrique Freeman?
Enrique Freeman is an American professional basketball player born July 29, 2000, in Cleveland, Ohio. He plays power forward for the Indiana Pacers on a two-way contract with the Noblesville Boom of the NBA G League, after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Akron.
2. How did Enrique Freeman begin his college basketball career?
Freeman walked on to the Akron Zips after receiving no Division I offers, having only an academic scholarship. He played sparingly as a freshman, then grew four inches before his sophomore year, earned a scholarship and a starting role, and developed into one of the Mid-American Conference’s top defenders.
3. What were Enrique Freeman’s major college achievements?
Freeman earned four MAC All-Defensive team selections, two First-Team All-MAC nods, MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and was twice tournament MVP. He led the nation in field goal percentage one season, tied the NCAA single-season double-double record with 31, and finished among Akron’s all-time leaders in rebounds, blocks, and points.
4. When and by which team was Enrique Freeman drafted into the NBA?
Freeman was selected in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He became the first Akron Zip drafted in the modern two-round era and the first since 1987, marking a historic moment for the program.
5. What are Enrique Freeman’s playing strengths and style?
Freeman is an undersized but highly versatile frontcourt player at 6-7 and 206 pounds. He combines elite defensive instincts, strong footwork, and relentless rebounding with efficient scoring around the rim. He has improved his perimeter shooting and court mobility, projecting as a high-energy role player in pick-and-roll and defensive schemes.
6. How did Enrique Freeman perform at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine?
Freeman impressed by scoring the most points during combine scrimmages, showcasing exceptional strength, quickness, and defensive versatility. His interviews also stood out, leading to multiple pre-draft workouts with teams such as the Pacers, Timberwolves, and Warriors, and boosting his projected draft range into the late second round.
7. What has Enrique Freeman’s professional career looked like so far?
Freeman began his pro career under a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Noblesville Boom. He has focused on translating his defensive tenacity and rebounding prowess to the professional level, aiming to carve out consistent rotation minutes.
8. What is known about Enrique Freeman’s early life and high school background?
Freeman attended St. Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he averaged a double-double as a senior and earned First-Team All-Lake Effect Conference honors. Raised by his mother, Tania Torres, he learned discipline and work ethic both in academics and through officiating intramural games before walking on at Akron.
9. How did Enrique Freeman’s high school experiences shape his work ethic?
Freeman’s time at a work-study prep school and officiating intramural games instilled in him accountability and resilience. Overlooked by college recruiters, he channeled that upbringing into relentless training under coach Jim Groce, transforming from an unrecruited walk-on to a two-time MAC tournament MVP.
10. What are Enrique Freeman’s key college career statistics?
Freeman averaged 18.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game on 58.4/37.0/72.8 shooting splits across 35 starts. He concluded his Akron career with 1,843 points, 1,405 rebounds, and 188 blocks, ranking among the program’s all-time leaders.
