Akron's Enrique Freeman plays in all-star game on Final Four court, preps for pro career

University of Akron men's basketball player Enrique Freeman had multiple shining moments Friday on the Final Four court at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

No, Freeman didn't suit up for Final Four participants Connecticut, Purdue, North Carolina State or Alabama.

Instead, the 6-foot-7 Freeman totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 19 minutes in the National Association of Basketball Coaches-Reese's College All-Star Game. Freeman's efforts helped the West All-Star team top the East All-Star team 87-75.

"It was super surreal playing in this all-star game," Freeman said by telephone Sunday. "It was really cool playing on the Final Four court. I think that was probably the biggest thing for me. The Final Four court was sweet and State Farm Stadium was huge. It was surreal and a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to compete against some guys in an all-star game. I think we played some good basketball."

Freeman arrived in Arizona on Wednesday and returned to Ohio on Sunday.

New Mexico's Jaelen House was named the Most Valuable Player for the West All-Star team with 16 points, four assists and three rebounds. Missouri's Sean East II added 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Washington State's Isaac Jones scored 10 points.

Boston College's Quinten Post earned MVP honors for the East All-Star team with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Xavier's Quincy Olivari scored 16 points and Ohio State's Jamison Battle added 11 points.

Freeman, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in 2024, was one of 21 seniors selected to play in the game. He joined Zeke Marshall (2013) as the only two Akron players to be named to the Reese's All-Star game.

"I thought Enrique really settled in in the second half," said Akron coach John Groce, who watched the game in person. "He made two 3s and had a triple-drop jump-hook. I thought he was active, got his hands on the ball quite a bit, whether it was blocking a shot or deflections. He ran the floor well."

Enrique Freeman, John Groce reflect on Akron's run to NCAA Tournament

Freeman earned Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP honors in 2022 and 2024 as the Zips won the MAC Tournament championship in both seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament. UCLA topped Akron in 2022 and Creighton beat Akron in 2024.

Freeman delivered strong performances in his final four games in an Akron uniform. He had 30 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a 75-63 win over Miami of Ohio; 24 points, a MAC Tournament-record 21 rebounds and seven blocks in a 65-62 win over Ohio; 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in a 62-61 win over Kent State; and 21 points, 14 rebounds and two steals in a 77-60 loss to Creighton.

"[John] Beilein used to always say, 'Freshman want to play, sophomores want to start, juniors want to score and seniors want to win,'" Groce said. "Enrique looked like that, as did a lot of those guys. They wanted to keep playing. The reality of it is when you have a special group, when it ends, it is so final. It is boom. You don't plan on it ending that day. You are putting a game plan together and you are expecting to win and advance to the next game."

Freeman finished his Akron career first in rebounds (1,405), second in blocks (186) and third in points (1,843) in 132 games.

Freeman averaged 18.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.6 assists in 35 games as a senior. Freeman tied the NCAA single-season record for double-doubles with 31, joining North Carolina's Armando Bacot (2022) and Navy's David Robinson (1986) as the only players to record the feat.

Freeman entered the NCAA Tournament tied with LaSalle's Tom Gola (1954 and 1955), West Virginia's Jerry West (1960), Wichita State's Xavier McDaniel (1985) and Oklahoma's Blake Griffin (2009) with 30 double-doubles.

Freeman was named to the 2024 Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention team and is a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, the Oscar Robertson Award and the Lou Henson Award. He also finished his career as a two-time All-MAC first team selection and a four-time All-MAC Defensive team honoree (MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022).

"I remember feeling like a champion," Freeman said regarding Akron's final four games in March.

"I remember how proud the city of Akron was of this team. I think this team has contributed to the city of Akron. We put in a lot of hard work to be good for Akron and to be able to compete for championships every year."

What's next for Akron basketball stars Enrique Freeman and Ali Ali?

Groce said Freeman and Ali Ali have been invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Virginia, a postseason camp that runs from April 17-20 and features 64 top seniors from across the country.

"All of the NBA teams will be represented there, and then several of the Euro League teams as well as other international league teams will have representation there watching, evaluating and scouting the invitational," Groce said.

Ali finished his Akron career with 1,094 points, 343 rebounds and 215 assists in 115 games.

Freeman declared for the NBA Draft last year, worked out for representatives of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics and then returned to Akron for his final season.

Freeman, a Cleveland native, said playing in the NBA is a dream and that the Cavaliers are his favorite team.

"Everytime I play 2K [video games], I pick the Cavs," Freeman said. "It has always been a dream of mine since I was young to play for the Cavs."

Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron star Enrique Freeman plays in all-star game on Final Four court