Ahead of Sunday’s matchup between Kansas State and Arizona State in Manhattan, Kansas, news broke regarding the status of the Sun Devils’ leading scorer.
According to a report from the Arizona Republic’s Michelle Gardner, Arizona State guard BJ Freeman is no longer with the team and did not travel for the game vs. Kansas State.
Arizona State Star BJ Freeman Dismissed from Basketball Program Ahead of Kansas State Game
Published: February 23, 2025
Just hours before their highly anticipated matchup against Kansas State, the Arizona State Sun Devils have suffered a massive blow. According to a report by Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic, star guard BJ Freeman is no longer a part of the Arizona State men’s basketball program.
The news came as a surprise to many, especially considering Freeman’s status as the team’s leading scorer. An official statement from an ASU spokesperson confirmed that Freeman did not travel with the team to Manhattan, Kansas, and added that “BJ Freeman is no longer with the program.”
Freeman’s Rocky Season Comes to a Sudden End
Freeman, a transfer from Milwaukee and originally from North Carolina, had been under the microscope all season due to his conduct. He was ejected from two games and also served a team suspension earlier in the year for behavior deemed detrimental to team culture. Despite the off-court issues, he remained a key contributor on the hardwood.
In the 2024-25 season, Freeman averaged 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while shooting 42.1% from the floor. He led the Sun Devils in scoring and was often the go-to guy during crunch time. In the earlier matchup this season against Kansas State in Tempe, Freeman filled the stat sheet with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, although the Sun Devils fell just short, losing 71-70.
What This Means for Arizona State Moving Forward
The dismissal of Freeman leaves Arizona State scrambling for answers as they try to stabilize their roster heading into the final stretch of the regular season. With limited depth and already battling inconsistencies, losing their top scorer puts immense pressure on head coach Bobby Hurley and the remaining backcourt.
Expect guards Adam Miller and Jose Perez to take on heavier offensive responsibilities in Freeman’s absence. Both have had solid moments this year but will need to step up significantly if the Sun Devils are going to remain competitive in Big 12 play.
Sunday’s Matchup Against Kansas State Just Got Tougher
The Sun Devils take the court without Freeman on Sunday, February 23rd, at 3:00 p.m. CT at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas. Arizona State has struggled on the road this season, and going into a hostile Big 12 environment without their star guard makes this game all the more challenging.
With tournament hopes fading, Arizona State will need to rally behind team unity and defensive grit to salvage the remainder of the season.
“The Arizona State Sun Devils are no strangers to playing shorthanded and they’ll be doing so once again as B.J. Freeman did not travel with the team as the Sun Devils are set to square off against Kansas State,” Gardner wrote. “An ASU representative said Freeman is no longer with the program.”
Freeman’s status has been an interesting one to follow this year, as the North Carolina native has been ejected from two different games and suspended once for conduct detrimental to the team.
He finishes the 2024-25 season averaging a team-high 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game on 42.1% shooting from the field. In the first matchup vs. Kansas State in Tempe, Freeman posted 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the team’s 71-70 loss.
The Sun Devils take the court without their top scorer on Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00 central against Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum.
