Owen Freeman, the second-year center for Iowa men’s basketball, is eager to build on his impressive freshman campaign. Last season, he earned co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, sharing the title with Indiana’s Mckenzie Mgbako. He also trained with former Iowa star Luka Garza during the offseason.
Since Fran McCaffery took over as head coach in 2010, he has focused on developing players and revitalizing the program. Over the last 14 years, McCaffery has successfully led Iowa to NCAA tournament appearances and nurtured talent often overlooked by larger programs. Notable alumni include Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp, Keegan Murray, and Kris Murray, who have all played in the NBA.
Freeman has the potential to join these ranks. Arriving in Iowa City as a three-star recruit, he played at a five-star level last season. He averaged 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, showcasing his skills as one of the top centers in the Big Ten. Most of his scoring came near the basket, but his ability to run the floor and excel defensively earned him praise from both McCaffery and his teammates.
“He’s a beast,” said former guard Tony Perkins after a victory over Wisconsin on February 17. “He can score, knock down free throws, and grab rebounds. That’s just the type of player he is.”
Despite Freeman’s efforts, the Hawkeyes ended the season with a 19-15 overall record and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2018. They participated in the National Invitation Tournament but were eliminated in the second round by Utah, losing 92-81.
Following this loss, Freeman and his teammates turned their attention to the 2024-25 season, which begins on October 25 with an exhibition game against Minnesota-Duluth. Freeman has concentrated on improving various aspects of his game, especially his perimeter jump shot. He attempted only four shots from beyond the arc last season, none of which were successful.
“I’ve worked on my jump shot a lot in the offseason,” Freeman stated during Iowa’s media day. “So just being able to do that and being more confident, you’re going to see a lot of that this year.”
Third-year guard Josh Dix commented on Freeman’s development, saying, “He’s been dribbling off the dribble more, just taking face-up jump shots. He’s really taken that next step. I feel like a lot of people see that this year; it really seems open.”
McCaffery has encouraged Freeman to improve his jumper since he began recruiting him at 15 years old. “You are seeing a dramatic difference because a lot of times it’s not necessarily form or technique,” McCaffery said. “It’s confidence and knowing that your coach has the confidence in you to shoot the ball.”
Freeman appreciates McCaffery’s support. “He’s the ultimate players’ coach. For him to instill that confidence in me and just tell me to shoot the ball, what else do you even need?” he said.
Freeman also trained with Garza and his father, Frank, over the summer. Garza was a standout player at Iowa, winning multiple awards, including back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Year and the Naismith Player of the Year in 2021.
Freeman described their workout routine as “our secret thing” but expressed gratitude for the knowledge they shared. “They gave me a lot of tidbits and things about the game. They’re just great guys, and having them in my corner is truly awesome,” he said.
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