'Let's run it back': Star sophomore BJ Freeman shuns transfer portal, will return to UWM next season

That sigh of relief on Monday afternoon?

It came from anyone who roots for UW-Milwaukee’s men’s basketball team after star swingman BJ Freeman made it known he will be returning to the Panthers next season.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore, who led the team in scoring and three-pointers, tied for the team lead in rebounding and finished second in assists, ultimately decided against transferring -- a decision some believed was a foregone conclusion after his breakout campaign.

“I sat down with my family and said whatever I do decide, I don't want to think about this too long,” Freeman said in a phone interview. "The quicker I can get this over, the quicker I can just focus on what I like doing, and that's playing basketball.

"Talked with my parents and we just felt like Milwaukee was the best spot for me. I'm big on the coaches there, I love the fans -- they treat me like I'm one of theirs. Like I've said, that's my city, so let's run it back."

Not surprisingly, coach Bart Lundy was thrilled to learn the news himself when Freeman informed him Monday morning.

"It’s big for our program," he said. "We’re really happy for BJ, our fans and it just goes to show how much he really did love the city and playing for Milwaukee. As a coaching staff we’re excited to be able to continue to help him grow on his journey."

The Panthers just completed their season just one week ago, losing to Charlotte in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.

It was Freeman who almost single-handedly led UWM past Stetson in a first-round game the day before, pouring in 43 points – tied for second-most by a player in the program’s Division I era – in an 87-83 overtime victory.

More:BJ Freeman pours in 43 points to lead UW-Milwaukee over Stetson in OT in CBI

Before that, Freeman had made scoring 20 or more points almost a routine event in Horizon League play while also recording a triple-double along the way.

Somehow the Selma, N.C., native wasn't voted first team all-Horizon League but will probably enter next season as one of the favorites to be named preseason player of the year.

Freeman indicated the narrative of him potentially entering the transfer portal picked up steam toward the end of the season and while he didn't want to get into specifics he did say Florida, LSU and DePaul had all expressed interest.

In returning to UWM, Freeman also confirmed he willingly gave up potential NIL money that reached into six figures.

"I don't look at the quick money. I look at the end goal and where I have the best chance of achieving my dream. Where I feel most happy," he said. "It's not about the money. I felt like Milwaukee was the best spot for me, for my happiness and for me to be able to achieve my end goal -- to make it to the (NBA).

"I just felt like there was no point in leaving when I've got a fan base that believes in me, a team that believes in me and a coaching staff that believes in me.

"Shoot, what more can you ask for?"

Lundy was asked where he sees avenues of improvement for Freeman moving forward.

Freeman shot 40.6% -- not a terrible number considering the fact he put up 461 shots in 32 games -- while averaging 18.2 points per game and shot 33.6% from beyond the arc (74 for 220).

He was tremendous in getting to the free-throw line (133 for 160) and shot a solid 83.1%.

Freeman led the team with 101 turnovers but in fairness he was probably asked to handle the ball more than expected due to the Panthers' lack of a traditional point guard.

"We’ll focus on BJ getting stronger, maybe putting on some muscle and some weight to be a little more durable – he gets banged up a lot the way he plays," Lundy said of the 200-pounder. "Then just some of the micro skills – passing, making him more of a two-way player defensively.

"Some shot fakes and some of the things we need to clean up to help him reduce his turnovers a bit."

Freeman, who's repeatedly spoken of his fondness for the City of Milwaukee, was asked how he was able to formulate such a bond in only a season's time.

"The environment, the State of Wisconsin -- they love basketball," he said. "Just the historic background at (UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena), it just brings joy to my heart. I want to show the crowd that I can still bring life there, still put on a show and give them the hype they deserve for paying their hard-earned money to come watch us play."

More:'This is my city': First-place UWM Panthers make another statement with their play, then their words

Getting Freeman back also will allow Lundy and his coaching staff the ability to focus on continuing to recruit complementary pieces around Freeman rather than to fill what would have been a huge void created by his transfer.

"If he leaves, it leaves a big hole with the number of shots, the number of points that he scored, the number of threes he made," Lundy said. "So, to have that back and to be able to keep the core of this group together allows us to go and add pieces instead of having to kind of reconstruct the roster.

"It really does allow us to build rather than reconstruct."

Lundy also indicated he expects the rest of the young core of players including Markeith Browning II, Kentrell Pullian, Elijah Jamison and Justin Thomas back along with Freeman.

"We’re still working through that process, but we anticipate all those guys coming back at this point," he said.

One player who won't be returning is freshman guard Brian Taylor II, a former Pat Baldwin signee who will enter the portal after playing only 34 minutes over seven games.

"We met and talked today about what his next steps are, where I think he needs to grow," Lundy said. "I love Brian; he was a good teammate and a good kid in our program and we’ll cheer for him no matter where he lands."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: BJ Freeman shuns transfer portal, will return to UW-Milwaukee Panthers