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By Taylor Kauffman
At the beginning of May, former Parkview basketball standout Tyem Freeman committed to play at the University of Central Florida.
“I can’t wait to see the next chapter in life and where it takes me,” said Parkview grad Tyem Freeman.
Tyem’s tweet announcing his commitment to the University of Central Florida may have come as a surprise to some, but what’s more shocking is his journey to get there.
“I think my senior year we would have had a real shot at winning state,” Freeman said.
From 2016 to 2019 it was hard to miss Parkview’s Tyem Freeman. Every night was one for the highlight reel, which led to him signing with Missouri State, and being on the cover of the O-Zone magazine.
His senior year, a week after signing with the Bears, Tyem tore his ACL.
“I actually remember, I tried to get up and run it off, but I tried to take that one step and it just didn’t feel right. I had to ask for a sub right away,” Freeman said.
Tye ended up red shirting his freshman year at MSU and then transferred to Indian Hills junior college where he focused on his education.
“Taking the JUCO route seems unexpected, but it was honestly a blessing for me. I don’t think I was ready for college mentally yet,” said Freeman.
His mentality was tested in more ways than one.
“JUCO ball is hard. You’re constantly having to prove yourself. You’re getting overlooked or you’re not good enough, because you’re a JUCO ball player, and I just wanted to mean more than that,” Freeman said.
And in one season, he went from coming off the bench to a first team all American — and again, Division-I colleges began to call.
“It was the best feeling hearing a coach talk to you and be interested in you,” Freeman said.
“What was it about UCF?” asked Ozone reporter Taylor Kauffman.
“I mean, I don’t know how you can pass up on Johnny Dawkins. That’s a two-time All American,” said Freeman.
His perseverance provides a timeless message, one he hopes others can learn as well.
“My number one thing is just never giving up, and always just striving to be the best player, person, and human being I can be,” Freeman said.
“And you have four years of eligibility,” Kauffman said.
“Yeah, that’s crazy,” Freeman laughed.
And while he leaves JUCO behind, he’s taking with him his biggest accomplishment to date.
“I have a degree — the first kid in my family. I have a degree,” Freeman said.
Tye plans to head to Orlando, Florida at the end of June.
