Owen Freeman named Big Ten Freshman of the Week yet again

For the fifth time in his young career, Iowa big man Owen Freeman has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Once again, Iowa center Owen Freeman has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. This is the big man’s fifth time receiving the award this season after the league announced its weekly awards on Monday.

The Moline, Ill., native earned the distinction after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, while shooting 75% from the field and 83.3% from the charity stripe during two Big Ten games against No. 21 Wisconsin and Rutgers.

Against the Badgers, Freeman secured his second double-double of the season, becoming the first Hawkeye freshman to record multiple double-doubles since Luka Garza. Not bad company to be with.

With a career-high 37 minutes, Freeman finished with 14 points, shooting a cool 7-of-9 from the field. He rejected three shots and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds.

In the win over Rutgers, Freeman scored 15 points, adding two blocks to move into the top eight in program history by an Iowa freshman.

There was a lot of hype surrounding the Illinois native following a stellar preseason, and he has so far lived up to his top billing. Through his first 15 collegiate games, Freeman has been the top freshman in the conference, leading the league in points (155), rebounds (85) and blocks (30), while ranking second in steals (17) and field goal percentage (.633).

Just days into the new year, Freeman is already etching himself into Big Ten history. His five Big Ten Freshman of the Week awards are tied for the ninth-most in league history. They are the most accolades since Nebraska’s Bryce McGowens was honored seven times during the 2021-22 season.

It is obvious that Freeman is a big-time talent, a presence on the interior that Iowa has been desperately looking for this year. The Hawkeyes have showcased some great bigs in school history, from Luka Garza to Filip Rebraca last year. Just tapping into his potential, Owen Freeman appears to be the next in line for that throne.

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