Southern Illinois Nets A Huge Transfer 

May 19, 2008

7:00 A.M. CST

Just as Illinois Prep Bulls-eye predicted in our recent recruiting blurbs, 6'1 guard Tony Freeman has transferred to Southern Illinois University from the University of Iowa.

As we have stated repeatedly, Saluki head coach Chris Lowery rarely fails to lock up a commitment from a recruit once he gets them on campus, and such was the case with Freeman, who made his decision after visiting the Carbondale campus this past weekend.

Freeman will provide Lowery and the Salukis with a guard who has a high motor and great scoring capability.  He has great quickness which alllows him to consistently get to the basket as well as the ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc.  In addition, Freeman is a strong man-to-man defender.

Freeman's acquisition is also yet another indicator of just how valuable assistant coach Lance Irvin has been since his hiring at Southern Illinois.  In just over a month on the job, Irvin has been instrumental in helping the Salukis land two recruits from the Mac Irvin Fire traveling team program--Freeman and 6'4 Ryan Hare from Marshall High School in Chicago. 

Not only that, but Irvin and Lowery have the Salukis involved with several other prospects who currently play on the Fire, including the following class of 2009 prospects: 6'5 Tony Nixon from Seton Academy in South Holland, IL; 6'5 Jonathan Mills from North Lawndale High School in Chicago and 5'11 Derek Needham from De LaSalle Institute in Chicago as well as 6'8 class of 2010 prospect Phillip Jackson from Providence-St. Mel High School in Chicago.

Getting back to Freeman, he will sit out next season via NCAA transfer rules and be eligible at Southern Illinois come the 2009-10 season.

Continue to check in with Illinois Prep Bulls-eye for all of the latest as it pertains to recruiting and high school basketball in Illinois.