Can Elyjah Freeman Be Another Division II Win for Auburn Basketball?

Bruce Pearl has a sharp eye for talent at the lower level, most recently with Chaney Johnson. But it doesn't take a scouting background to recognize the potential in someone shooting 46% from beyond the arc. Division II standout Elyjah Freeman will be joining the Tigers for the 2025-26 basketball season.

Division II Beginnings

The 6'8" forward earned a number of distinctions during his freshman year at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. Anyone who’s watched his highlights can tell he was playing well above Division II level. A McDonald’s All-American nominee out of Wellington High School in Florida, he was named South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year and led the LMU Railsplitters to claim their sixth consecutive regular-season title. He also earned first-team all-conference honors.

Elyjah Freeman — 2024–25 Season (Lincoln Memorial)

Freeman’s development at LMU helped him emerge as one of the nation’s top Division II recruits. Following his breakout performance, the 6'8" Palm Beach native became in demand by several top basketball schools. He was recruited by Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, but ultimately committed to Auburn where expectations are high for his continued growth and contribution.

Bruce Pearl on Elyjah Freeman

“Elyjah Freeman is your classic late bloomer,” head coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement. “He was under recruited out of high school, goes to Lincoln Memorial and just does a tremendous job. One of the best offensive players in all of Division II basketball as a freshman, Elyjah is an incredibly hard worker, dedicated and driven. He’s got some instincts that are hard to teach. He also has the size of a forward, but he will play a big guard position for Auburn. Incredible mom and great support at home. He was one of the best young players we evaluated in the portal this year.”

Johni Broome was a late bloomer too. Based on Coach Pearl's statement, the sky's the limit for a player like Elyjah.

Finding His Place in the Roster

Physically, Freeman shares a build similar to Chad Baker-Mazara. With CBM now at USC, you might see echoes of his playing style in Freeman – though hopefully without the flagrant outbursts. Freeman is scrappy, tough, dedicated, and a nightmare for defenses.

Auburn reloaded on combo guards and forwards this offseason, and Freeman joins JUCO transfer Abdul Bashir and portal pickup Kevin Overton.

It's still early, but Freeman is raw. While starting spots aren’t set, Kevin Overton or Abdul Bashir are the likely frontrunners for the starting role, with Freeman expected to earn minutes right away. In today’s positionless style of play, there’s a good chance we’ll see a combination of these guys on the court simultaneously.

Abdul Bashir comes equipped with full-on offensive power. Rated as the No. 1 JUCO recruit in the country according to Rivals, he averaged 27.2 points per game at Casper College in Wyoming. The JUCO individual scoring leader dropped a stunning 46 points against Central Wyoming in February.

With Auburn’s roster almost completely overhauled, Kevin Overton arrives as a proven winner, fresh off a key sixth-man role on a strong Texas Tech squad. With Denver Jones, Miles Kelly, and Chris Moore graduating, the Tigers need a steady veteran presence in the backcourt and Overton’s leadership and intangibles could prove more valuable than the offensive firepower Bashir or Freeman bring.

That being said, Freeman may have the highest ceiling on the team, and not just in the forward/guard position. Though only 18 and untested at the next level, Freeman’s Division II efficiency speaks volumes about his potential. Shooting at 59% from the floor, he's also a versatile contributor with 8.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Like CBM, he's got a forward's frame at 6'8" but guard-level skills to create mismatches wherever he plays.

Final Thoughts

Excluding Tahaad Pettiford, we're going to be watching a brand-new Auburn team this year, and adding Elyjah Freeman was undoubtedly a smart move.

With his size, skill, and efficient scoring shown at the Division II level, he’s a promising developmental piece who can contribute right away. His versatility as a "big guard" or wing should earn him immediate minutes, whether coming off the bench or not.

While unproven at the SEC level, players like Chaney Johnson and Elyjah Freeman prove why Division II talent deserves a closer look. These standout performers come with the potential to carry their success into a tougher, more competitive environment.

The transition is a true test of a player’s adaptability and growth. Chaney Johnson’s journey is evidence that Coach Pearl knows how to develop these athletes at the highest level — his comparable stats between Division II and the SEC highlight what’s possible. Additionally, Chaney's significant contribution to Auburn's Final Four appearance highlights his impact beyond individual statistics.

That’s why I believe Elyjah Freeman has the highest ceiling on Auburn’s roster, provided he can maintain production relative to playing time, just as Chaney did.

Chaney Johnson - Division II vs. SEC