Syracuse’s Donnie Freeman Out for Vegas Tournament; Kiyan Anthony Steps Up
UPDATE: Syracuse Orange faces a major setback as leading scorer Donnie Freeman has been ruled out for at least a week due to a lower-body injury, just ahead of crucial matchups in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. This news breaks as the Orange prepare to take on the formidable No. 3 ranked Houston today, followed by a game against Kansas tomorrow.
Freeman, a talented 6-foot-9 sophomore forward, has been a key player for Syracuse, averaging 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks through four games. His absence will significantly impact the team’s performance, especially on defense, where he has contributed to holding opponents to just 34.9% shooting inside the arc—ranking No. 2 nationally.
In light of Freeman’s injury, freshman Kiyan Anthony, the son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, will need to step up his game. Anthony currently averages 14.8 points per game and has been shooting 39% from beyond the arc. His increased responsibility comes at a challenging time, as the Orange face the best defense in the nation in Houston.
“I feel like we could definitely get one of those games [at Players Era],” Anthony stated last week. “We could definitely get one, if not both, of those games out in Vegas. It’ll give us a lot of momentum, coming back here and playing Tennessee next week. Winning is the main goal, no matter who is playing good or what’s going on.”
The stakes are higher than ever for Syracuse as they navigate this critical tournament without their leading scorer. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Kiyan Anthony and the rest of the team respond to this setback.
As the tournament unfolds, updates on Freeman’s recovery and the outcomes of the games against Houston and Kansas will be crucial for Syracuse’s momentum moving forward. Stay tuned for the latest developments as the Orange aim to overcome adversity in Las Vegas.
