Wolves sign Akron legend, Summer League star Enrique Freeman

Freeman, at 6-foot-7, has the ability to score, rebound and defend at a very high level. Can he develop into a regular player in Minnesota's rotation?

Mar 8, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman (8) warms up on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images | Madeleine Mertens-Imagn Images

Just minutes after news broke that the Timberwolves signed free agent forward Johnny Juzang, more news hit the timeline with word that Minnesota has also agreed to a two-way contract with free agent forward Enrique Freeman.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing forward Enrique Freeman on a two-way NBA contract, agents Keith Kreiter and Sam Cipriano of Edge Sports tell ESPN. The Pacers' 2024 second-rounder had a strong summer league, averaging 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 56% on 3s.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2025

The 25-year-old was the 50th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 NBA Draft. Before that, he was a star at Akron, where he averaged a double-double his last three seasons, including 18.6 points and 12.9 rebounds as a fifth-year senior in 2023-24. He actually led the nation in rebounding during his final season with the Zips, and led the Mid-American Conference in boards for three consecutive seasons.

He was a MAC All-Defense selection four times and he won the MAC Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021-22. Freeman was awarded the MAC Player of the Year in 2023-24.

After playing in only 22 games as a rookie with the Eastern Conference champion Pacers, Freeman lit up the Summer League in Las Vegas by averaging 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The 6-foot-7 forward shot 72.5% overall and 55.6% from three-point range.

"I can bring rebounding, defense. Now I can bring shooting. Now I can bring an offensive threat,” Freeman told Spencer Davies of RG earlier this month. "I had a great Summer League this year, four double-doubles, No. 4 in efficiency throughout the Summer League. And also, I can offer my motor. I play very hard. I put in very hard work, and a lot of teams love that."