Freshman guard Brayon Freeman entered the transfer portal according to a statement released on Twitter March 22.
The announcement came eight days after the Athletic Department announced the firing of head coach Jamion Christian and his staff. Freeman is one of the current three players that announced their transfer from the program after the end of the A-10 tournament along with sophomore guard Joe Bamisile and senior forward Ricky Lindo Jr.
“I was kind of shocked, just because it happened so quick,” Freeman said. “We didn’t really have any time to prepare for the news or nobody really felt that that was what happened. It was kind of just a shock to all of us.”
Though Freeman’s announcement coincided with Lindo Jr.’s transfer announcement, he said it was a coincidence the former teammates released it on the same day. Freeman said he was surprised by Lindo’s announcement as he had no knowledge of Lindo Jr.’s intentions.
He said he announced to his teammates a couple of hours before his addition to the transfer portal was finalized.
Freeman said he decided to transfer because he wanted to hear from other coaches to see the different options he has for the next eligibility years. He said he is still open to discussing a return to GW based on the opportunities offered by the next Colonial head coach.
He said he has received recent offers from DePaul, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, St. Bonaventure, Fordham, George Mason, Cincinnati, Xavier and Iona. Freeman said he still has not made a decision but is waiting to hear back from more universities.
“I want to be able to have other teachers, other coaches from other schools communicate the same way, just so I can see where I’m at,” Freeman said “Just to see where I’m at and hear from all options.”
Freeman said his chapter in GW might not be over as he continues to look at the options for next year, but he holds a deep appreciation for the students and the athletic department for making him feel welcomed. He said Christian was always a loving guy to the team and made sure the team knew he was there to help them improve.
“No matter the situation, the argument, the play, miscommunication,” Freeman said. “You always knew at heart that with coach Christian it was coming from a spot of love.”
Freeman, a three-star recruit and one of the top 30 point guards during his signing, averaged a .433 shooting percentage in just his first season. He was named to the All-Rookie squad after rounding out his debut campaign with an average of 10 points per game, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Freeman became the first GW rookie since the 2003-04 season to contribute at least 100 assists in one season, a title which previously belonged to 2006 graduate Carl Elliot. Freeman ranked in the top 15 A-10 rookies overall in the league and second in the assists and assist-to-turnover ratio.
Freeman set an 18-point ascension with seven assists during the A-10 tournament where the team achieved their highest seed in five years as the seventh seed before bowing out in the second round against Massachusetts.