There aren't many outside of the Midwest that know much about Leon Freeman, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound shooting guard from Bellville (Mich.) High School but after his great performance at the Boo Williams Invitational, the three-star prospect will be in the same breath as the nation's top players.

Trying to carve your own niche on the AAU circuit is tough sometimes. Everyone is an all-star in their home town. There as dozens of state champions. There are players already committed to the top programs on every team. For Freeman, he did the little things on top of showing off his keen shooting touch and high-flying athleticism.

Freeman shined on the defensive end of the floor with his quick hands on the wing, physical play on the opposing team's top scorers and single-handedly took out the Georgia Stars backcourt with The Family AAU program out of Detroit. The Boo Williams tournament was his first go round with a national traveling circuit team.

"I guess I'm kind of underground but I wanted to get with a bigger team to show the whole world on what I can do," Freeman said. "I want to have fun and work hard on every game."

Working hard is his trademark. But Freeman says his strengths are three fold.

"Defense, rebounding and scoring," he said. "That's what I do best. No one wants to play defense anymore. I will. I kind of like it."

Freeman said Michigan State and Purdue have tendered scholarship offers. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue, Valparaiso and Wisconsin are also keeping a close watch on the class of 2006 prospect. Freeman said the home state Spartans are sitting at the top right now.

"After this AAU season, I hope I can earn a lot more," Freeman said of scholarship offers. "That's why we play these things, right?"

Exactly. Many more will certainly come a looking. And they'll be coming from more places than just the Midwest.