NCAA Basketball: Akron and Purdue with 2023 Players of the Week

Mid Major Player of the Week – Enrique Freeman

The Akron Zips have been one of the better teams in the MAC over the last five years and their star player is a huge reason why. Enrique Freeman has already had a decorated career for the Zips in his three full seasons in the conference. He is a three time all-defensive team member, was the 2021-2022 MAC defensive player of the year, and is a two time all-conference selection. He is a household name in mid major basketball, and he is almost always a guy who shows up on my preliminary list of players for this award.

Freeman had a huge week. The senior forward already came into the week averaging a double double but saw his per game averages rise this week. In a win against Bradley the big man dominated the game from the tip. He scored 21 points, had 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks, and 4 steals. He was 9-13 from the floor but was on 3-8 from the free throw line. In the second game of the week a win over Northern Kentucky the forward dominated the game once again. He had 21 points and 10 rebounds. In that game against the Norse, he did only have one 1 steal and 1 block. The Zips needed everything that their star game them against Northern Kentucky because they only won the game by 1 point. Freeman was 10-12 from the floor against Northern Kentucky.

The forward is undersized at 6’7” but is one of the best defensive players in the country. He consistently dominates in the paint and is very frustrating to guard. He doesn’t shoot the ball from deep very often and he isn’t great from the line, but he is very skilled in the low block, and he will dominate on the defensive glass. Freeman has won the award before, and he is likely going to win it again this year. Congratulations to Enrique Freeman and the Akron Zips.