Syracuse basketball standouts J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman have confirmed their return for the 2025-26 season.
Starling led the team with 17.8 points per game in 26 appearances, while Freeman averaged 13.4 points in 14 games before a season-ending foot injury.
Both players faced setbacks due to injuries. Starling missed early games with a hand injury but returned on January 4 against Florida State, the same day Freeman played his final game before undergoing surgery.
Starling earned All-ACC honorable mention honors, ranking seventh in league scoring. He also led Syracuse in minutes (34.6 per game) and recorded 10 games with 20 or more points, including a career-high 38 in a double-overtime win over Youngstown State. He reached 1,000 career points, including his time at Notre Dame.
Freeman, a key presence in the paint, posted six double-doubles and averaged 7.9 rebounds per game. He scored a season-high 24 points against Albany and grabbed 12 rebounds in a win over Cornell. He was named ACC Co-Rookie of the Week in late November.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].