ALL-AMERICA, 2011

Austin Freeman was a legend in Washington before he ever chose a college, leading DeMatha Catholic High School to three straight WCAC titles. Named the consensus All-Met Player of the year in 2007, a Parade and McDonald's All-American, Freeman could have played anywhere in the nation, and in choosing Georgetown he became the first DeMatha grad to declare for the Hoyas since Don Willis in 1970, bringing in a new era between the schools.

Freeman wasn't an immediate starter, however, and he waited his turn. On Dec. 31, 2007, Freeman succeeded Patrick Ewing Jr. in the starting lineup, scoring 12 points in 24 minutes. Freeman collected 14 double figure scoring games as a freshman, including 16 versus Notre Dame and 15 in the Hoyas' thrilling regular season finale versus Louisville. His 51 percent scoring average ranks to this day as the second highest percentage by a freshman in school history.

His development continued through injuries as a sophomore, scoring in double figures in 26 of 30 games for a 9.1 average. Freeman's junior year saw him assert himself not only as the scoring leader on his team, but as one of the best in the Big East--among the top five in the league in scoring average, three pointers, and free throws, with 28 double figure games in 33 games, including a outstanding 33 point game where he scored 28 in the second half to rally Georgetown from 19 down to defeat Connecticut. The only game he played in but failed to start, however, would change his life.

On Feb. 27, 2010, Freeman missed his first start in two seasons--looking pale and weakened, he played 23 minutes and scored five points in what was thought to be the stomach flu. On the way to West Virginia that weekend, his condition worsened, and he returned to campus. The diagnosis was Type I diabetes, and the prompt medical attention at Georgetown University Hospital was invaluable. Amazingly, he returned to action a week later, scored 24 points to defeat Cincinnati, and led Georgetown to the Big East final six days later.

A second team all-Big East selection in 2010, Freeman was the pre-season candidate for the conference's Player of the Year in 2011, and while he never carried the bravado of Kemba Walker nor the hot hand of Marshon Brooks, Freeman's senior season would be no less valuable for the Hoyas. From a 31 point effort versus Missouri, he carried an outstanding scoring effort into Big East play, averaging over 20 points a game as Georgetown bounced back from a 1-4 start to win eight straight in the league, led by a remarkable 30 point effort on the road versus Villanova.

Named an honorable mention All-American at the close of his senior season, Freeman was not drafted by an NBA club and has spend his post-graduate career playing professionally overseas. At the time of his departure from Georgetown, he ranked ninth in scoring, eighth in field goals, third all-time in free throw percentage, third in three pointers, and sixth in three point shooting percentage. Amidst it all, Austin Freeman was a team player. He did not call attention to himself, but gave all he has to win. A coach could not ask for more from a player. Nor should us fans.