Auburn Makes a Splash with DII Star Elyjah Freeman
Auburn basketball just pulled off a big-time move — and it didn’t come from the usual Power Five pipeline. The Tigers have reached into the Division II ranks to snag one of the most promising young forwards in the country, Elyjah Freeman, a true freshman standout from Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.
Freeman isn’t your average transfer. The 6-foot-6 forward had a monster debut season, averaging 19.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He started 25 of the 28 games he played in, showing off not just production, but poise beyond his years. His efficiency numbers were eye-popping too — 58.6 percent shooting from the field (25th among qualifying players nationally) and a deadly 46.3 percent from beyond the arc. That’s not just solid; that’s elite, regardless of level.
Coming out of Wellington High School in Florida, Freeman was no stranger to attention. He was even a McDonald’s All-American Team nominee, but still ended up choosing the DII route with Lincoln Memorial as part of the 2024 class. That decision now looks like a temporary detour, because Freeman’s talent clearly deserves a bigger stage — and he’s getting exactly that by joining an Auburn program fresh off its second-ever Final Four appearance.
The move was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, and it signals a strong statement from Bruce Pearl and the Tigers: they’re not just recruiting names; they’re recruiting talent, no matter where it comes from.
Freeman isn’t coming in alone, either. Auburn has been active in the transfer portal this offseason. Earlier this week, they added KeShawn Murphy from Mississippi State, followed by Texas Tech’s Kevin Overton on Friday. They also picked up Keyshawn Hall from UCF earlier this month, and brought in JUCO talent Emeka Opurum. With Freeman now in the mix, Auburn has secured four portal players and one JUCO standout, rounding out a well-balanced incoming group.
According to 247Sports, Auburn’s transfer class now ranks No. 9 nationally — and that could rise depending on how these players mesh. The Tigers are clearly reloading, not rebuilding.
What makes Freeman such an intriguing addition is his all-around game. He can rebound, stretch the floor, score inside, and defend multiple positions. That kind of versatility is gold in today’s game, and Pearl’s system tends to bring out the best in athletic, skilled wings. If Freeman’s DII dominance translates to the SEC level, he could quickly become a fan favorite and a key piece of Auburn’s 2025 campaign.
In a transfer portal era where big names often dominate the headlines, it’s refreshing — and smart — to see Auburn betting on someone who’s already proven he can produce, even if it wasn’t at the biggest school. Freeman’s journey is just getting started, and now it’s headed straight into the spotlight of one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball.
Keep an eye on this name — Elyjah Freeman might just be Auburn’s next breakout star.
