OVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

15. Mark Freeman

Freeman has played for three schools in his collegiate career and two of them happened to be OVC programs. This 5’10 point guard from Memphis started out at Tennessee State in 2019, starring in two seasons with the Tigers before transferring to Illinois State. After just a single year with the Redbirds, Freeman was back to the OVC, spending this past season at Morehead State.

He actually got great run as a freshman in the pandemic-shortened season and was a solid point guard for the Tigers. In his sophomore season, he averaged 17.1 points and 4.6 assists per game, taking a major step forward, including a 30-point effort late in the year at Morehead State. He’d reemerge in the league two seasons later with those same Eagles, becoming their focal piece. Freeman averaged 15.0 points 3.7 assists per game, taking that program to an OVC regular season title and trip to the NIT.

Freeman showed fantastic signs with the Tigers and was named Second Team All-OVC back in 2021. While the scoring numbers weren’t as impressive, his role at Morehead State and contributions to their success saw him named OVC Player of the Year. Freeman has had great numbers from the charity stripe, has racked up steals and assists and was a great leader this past season for the Eagles despite being new to the program. He’ll be back for his bonus season, hoping to get the Eagles into the NCAA Tournament and make his first trip to the Big Dance.