Elyjah Freeman: LMU Freshman Sensation Could Be Tennessee’s Next Transfer Portal Steal
By Pablo Cong
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Harrogate, Tennessee, may not be a household name in high-major college basketball, but freshman forward Elyjah Freeman is rapidly changing that. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a versatile skill set, elite athleticism, and a relentless motor, Freeman has been turning heads all season. His impressive play has sparked growing buzz about his future, and speculation continues to mount. With high-major programs taking notice, Freeman is quickly emerging as a coveted target—potentially even for the Tennessee Volunteers.
A Quick Rise: From Palm Beach to LMU
A native of Palm Beach, Florida, Freeman made his way to LMU after starring at Wellington High School. While little is known about his recruitment, one has to wonder whether he was truly evaluated to his full potential during his high school days. Freeman wasted no time making an impact at the college level. His combination of athleticism, rebounding instincts, length, and mobility immediately made him a matchup nightmare in Division II. In his lone season at LMU, Freeman earned South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Freshman of the Year honors, averaging 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting in the high 40s from the field. His high motor, defensive versatility, and emerging ability to stretch the floor have captured the attention of programs nationwide—particularly those in search of a modern hybrid forward capable of defending multiple positions and contributing right away.
Why Tennessee Could Be the Perfect Fit
With Igor Milicic set to graduate in June and Tennessee expected to lose several frontcourt contributors, a significant void is opening up at the power forward position. That’s where a player like Elyjah Freeman could step in, provide an immediate scoring punch, and make an impact from day one. Head coach Rick Barnes has a proven track record of developing under-the-radar talent into high-level contributors—just look at the rise of Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, Dalton Knecht, and most recently, Chaz Lanier. Freeman could easily follow in their footsteps and become the next name to join that impressive list.
What’s Next?
Freeman’s production and skill set are sure to attract significant interest from high-major programs. His decision will likely hinge on fit, opportunity, and development—three areas where Tennessee has consistently thrived under Rick Barnes. The Vols will face stiff competition. That said, if he decides to take the leap to Division I, don’t be surprised if he ends up in orange and white. The Volunteers could be adding a frontcourt talent with the tools to contribute immediately and the upside to become something special.
Stay tuned.
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