The Toronto Raptors are reportedly keeping a close eye on Akron forward Enrique Freeman, a 23-year-old who is not a typical NBA draft candidate. Initially an unknown player out of high school, Freeman walked on for the Akron Zips after earning a spot in a public tryout. Standing at 6-foot-4 at the time, he had no NBA aspirations.
However, over the past five years, Freeman has grown to over 6-foot-7 and developed into a potential draft pick. According to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, the Raptors have interviewed him in preparation for the upcoming draft.
Freeman’s college career has seen significant improvement. He went from playing just 13 minutes as a freshman to averaging 18.6 points per game as a fifth-year senior. He led NCAA basketball with 12.9 rebounds per game, shooting 58.4% from the field and 37% on three-pointers.
Defensively, Freeman stands out. He is a four-time Mid-American Conference All-Defensive team member, the 2022 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and the conference’s overall Player of the Year this past season. His length and versatility make him a strong wing defender.
Offensively, there are concerns. Freeman has not been a reliable free-throw shooter, and he only began attempting three-pointers this past year. Most of his scoring has come from post plays, which may not translate well to the NBA given his size.
Another issue is Freeman’s potential upside. Despite his impressive development and work ethic, his age suggests a lower ceiling compared to younger prospects.
Although drafting Freeman at No. 31 might be ambitious, the Raptors have a history of exploring undrafted free agents, making it likely they will pursue him if he goes undrafted this summer.