Freeman wants to stay in Northeast

When talking to DeMatha Catholic's stud sophomore Austin Freeman, you'll rarely hear any "I" or "me" in his answers. He's a team guy. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard from the famed Maryland basketball powerhouse is having quite the season already but talk to him, you wouldn't know it. He's a humble kid with a bright future.

Freeman isn't one to answer questions about his own play but rather shed light on the team's success.

"We've been working on our defense a lot and I feel like it's really coming along," Freeman said. "Early in the season we weren't really clicking but I think that is starting to show on and off."

And how is he doing?

"I've been doing well," he'll answer, almost waiting for the next question.

There are little questions about the level of player he is. Freeman has high-major skill. In fact, those close to the DeMatha program believe Freeman could be an even better player than alumni Keith Bogans, who, if you remember, was quite the prep star himself before playing for Kentucky and then the Charlotte Bobcats and Orlando Magic in the NBA.

Utilizing his great size, Freeman gets to the bucket and challenging defenders inside. His perimeter isn't something one can take lightly either. As a pure scorer, Freeman is one of the best of the class of 2007.

Surprisingly, Freeman said only two schools are really recruiting him. Connecticut and St. Joseph's have made an impression early on, he said. There is one program that has caught Freeman's attention though.

"I kind of like Syracuse because my favorite player Carmelo Anthony went there and I want to stay in the Northeast when I play college ball," Freeman said.

His small, but strong, list of suitors will most certainly grow as high school career goes along. But don't expect him to talk about himself or how big his list is getting. Instead, he'll probably give praises to his team.

So we'll say it: Freeman is a big timer.