University of Minnesota Athletics

Sam Freeman
Photo by: Craig Lassig

Q&A with Sam Freeman

11/26/2019 12:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball

This Q&A originally appeared in the Nov. 24, 2019 game program against North Dakota. Interview by Matt Little, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

Gopher Sports: Why did you decide to come to Minnesota?
Freeman: I felt like the coaches were heavy on me. I felt like they cared about me, they wanted to develop me, develop my body more, and my game more all together. That's one of the main reasons I came here.

GS: What do you think is this team's biggest strength?
Freeman: In my opinion, I don't think we have one strength yet. I think our biggest strength will end up being our chemistry, our bond together, so we'll all be on the same page. I feel like that's one thing we're really working on and looking forward to.

GS: What do you think is your biggest strength?
Freeman: I think my biggest strength on the court is rebounding.

GS: You hold a couple rebounding records in Texas, don't you?
Freeman: Yeah, at my old high school I've set the single-season record and in-game record.

GS: Who do you think is the best 2k player on the team?
Freeman: I'll give it to Michael Hurt. Eric is number 2.

GS: When did you start playing ball, and when do you think you fell in love with the game?
Freeman: I think the first time I ever played a game, I might've been 4. I didn't exactly know what I was doing. I started really playing in 5th grade, but I fell in love with it around 8th grade. That's when I really started locking into my game.

GS: Was there anything specific that happened around then to spark that passion?
Freeman: I was already thinking about taking care of my mom and my family, so I felt like this was one of the ways I could do that. I just fell in love, started playing it more, and I just became attached to it.

GS: Describe yourself in 3 words.
Freeman: Funny, confident, and assertive.

GS: Now that the team's been together for a while, have there been any older players that have acted like a mentor for you?
Freeman: Dan has been helping me with my game. We have been going at each other in practice. Eric Curry too. He's on the sideline, watching my game, telling me how to do this and how to do that. I think he's mentoring me a lot.

GS: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Freeman: I listen to music and stretch. I used to lift before games, just do a light lift. That's about it.

GS: What's the thing you're most looking forward to this season?
Freeman: Just getting on the court and experiencing B1G basketball.

Quick Hitters
Favorite Professional Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Netflix Series: The Flash
Music Artist: Kodak Black
Biggest Idol: My AAU coach
Place to go eat: Frank and Andrea's
Memory from the Italy Trip: Boat trip at Lake Como
 
Highlights: Gophers 75, Wisconsin 78
Tuesday, January 13
Highlights: Gophers 69, USC 70 (OT)
Friday, January 09
Cinematic Recap: Gophers-Hawkeyes
Friday, January 09
Postgame Reaction: Gophers-Iowa
Wednesday, January 07