Javon Freeman described the process as “not difficult, but a little overwhelming.”
In the end, it all led the 6-foot-3 guard back to where it started — Valparaiso.
Freeman will remain with the Crusaders, having removed his name from the transfer portal.
On Thursday afternoon, he tweeted, “I’m Back!!”
Freeman’s decision was yet another twist in an eventful offseason for Valparaiso.
“I was already taking into consideration coming back when I said I was transferring,” Freeman said. “Valpo was still on my mind during the recruiting process, and I put it all together.
“I talked to my mom (Dee Dee Liberty), my uncle (Marcus Liberty), and they had my back no matter my decision. They were there for me.”
Freeman said the fact his mother has lived in Valparaiso for the last year weighed heavily on his decision.
In mid-March, Freeman had said he intended to transfer after a standout first college season, citing his desire to “reach my full potential in basketball and see what else is out there for me.”
On Wednesday afternoon, he tweeted, “To be continued …”
It was a cryptic message, fueling speculation he was staying at Valparaiso. That possibility gained momentum last week when he spoke with coach Matt Lottich.
In April, Freeman visited Northwestern — the only school he visited.
It was his top, if not only, option aside from Valparaiso. He said Baylor also intrigued him because of the Drew family connection, and there was mutual interest with Cincinnati and Nevada.
But he kept landing on Valparaiso, and he’s been given every indication the Crusaders will “welcome me back with open arms.”
In the 2018-19 season, Freeman became the first player since 2011 to make both the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-freshman and all-defensive teams.
He averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. His 60 steals led the conference and ranked third in program history. He was Valparaiso’s only player to start all 33 games.
Freeman helped lead Chicago Young to a state championship as a junior and to a second title game as a senior. He committed to Valparaiso in September 2017.
At that time, he had a list of about 15 offers, including St. Louis and Virginia Commonwealth, and growing interest.
Freeman is one of six Valparaiso players this offseason to submit his name into the transfer portal, and the only one of that half-dozen who’s not a graduate transfer.
With his return to the Crusaders, barring any other changes in plans, they are back to having one scholarship available for the 2019 recruiting class.
Freeman expressed confidence in Valparaiso’s revamped roster, and was asked about his individual and team goals.
“Win the Missouri Valley Conference and get in the (NCAA) Tournament — that’s really it,” Freeman said.
