The Next Jaylen Wells? Elyjah Freeman’s Rise from Obscurity

Inside the game of a late bloomer with first-round upside

You won’t find Elyjah Freeman on many preseason draft boards, but you probably should. Because in a sport this massive, with so many eyes on it, slipping through the cracks shouldn’t be this easy. Across the country, kids dedicate countless hours chasing the dream of Division I basketball. As of now, 365 Division I programs house roughly 5,600 players. Zoom out further, and you’ll find thousands of AAU teams and an incalculable number of kids grinding it out in travel ball. And it’s not like there’s a shortage of people watching—there are thousands of talent evaluators, videographers, and independent scouting services tracking every level of basketball. Go to any high school game and you’re bound to see cameras rolling and scouts scribbling notes. With today’s access to film, data, and social media, it feels like it should be harder than ever for an elite athlete—especially one with positional size and pro tools—to slip through the cracks.

I say all this to help contextualize how Auburn’s Elyjah Freeman was overlooked.

He’s not the first to come from the shadows. Just last year, Cedric Coward had a meteoric rise—going from virtually unknown at Division III Willamette to Eastern Washington, and eventually landing at Washington State. He played just six games there before entering the 2025 NBA Draft and being selected 11th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Now, just days away from his NBA debut, Coward’s story is one of the most improbable draft climbs in recent memory.

Before him, Jaylen Wells, also now in Memphis, took a similarly unconventional path. He spent two years at Division II Sonoma State before transferring to Washington State, where he played his way into becoming the 39th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Originally not expected to have a major role in the Grizzlies’ rotation, Wells proved otherwise. He started 74 games as a rookie, averaging 10.4 points per game on a 48-win playoff team—and earned First Team All-Rookie honors in the process.

So… is Elyjah Freeman next?

I dug into Freeman’s path to figure out how a 6’8” athletic wing who can space the floor got skipped over by so many recruiters.

Freeman starred at Wellington High School in Palm Beach, Florida. He was named First Team All-County as a senior after averaging 15 points, five boards, an assist, and two steals per game. He ran with the Wellington Wolves on the AAU scene—a solid squad, but not one affiliated with the Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour circuits. Recruiting interest reportedly started to pick up from programs like Oral Roberts, Tennessee State, Dayton, Murray State, and Chattanooga, but no confirmed offers ever surfaced. Ultimately, Freeman committed to Division II Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.

Between high school graduation and his college debut, Freeman hit a late growth spurt, stretching to a listed 6’8”. Maybe that extra height was the difference. Maybe it was the outdoor grind sessions with trainer Miguel Sparx. Maybe he’s just a classic late bloomer. Either way you slice it, the jump was real.

As a freshman, Freeman posted 18.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game—earning South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He racked up eleven double-doubles and 52 dunks, 24 of which came in half-court settings. Over his final three games, he averaged an absurd 31.6 points and 13.3 rebounds. It was clear he’d outgrown D2. He entered the portal and committed to Auburn in April.

Now comes the next question: Will Freeman’s game translate to the SEC—and eventually, the NBA?

If you’ve read this far, you already know where I stand. I’m a believer. I can’t take credit for being the first on the Elyjah Freeman hype train. But I’m here, and I’m early—definitely ahead of some of my peers in the draft space.

I’m not expecting gaudy numbers at Auburn. This isn’t a situation where Freeman will get 15+ shots per game. The roster has real talent. Tahaad Pettiford is back after testing the NBA Draft waters and looks ready for a leap. Keyshawn Hall, a senior transfer from UCF, is coming off an All-Big 12 season where he averaged 19 and 7. Add to that the coaching change—Bruce Pearl stepped down and handed the reins to his son Steven, who’s never been a head coach—and there’s plenty of reason to keep expectations measured.

Yeah, I’m still in. I think Freeman has real NBA upside and first-round talent. His athleticism is the real deal—those 52 dunks weren’t all in transition. He’s explosive in tight spaces. But more than that, it’s the motor. The energy stands out. According to Synergy, nearly 10% of his offensive possessions were put-backs. That’s a dude who stays active and hunts extra chances.

A wise man once said, “Board man gets paid.”

That man was Kawhi Leonard and the phrase still holds weight. I expect the aforementioned Tahaad Pettiford to spend this season trying to prove to NBA scouts that he can run a team, which could unlock another one of Freeman’s strengths: Cutting.

According to Synergy, Freeman shot 73% on cutting actions, which made up 13.6% of his offensive possessions. With Pettiford drawing attention and initiating offense, that kind of efficiency in motion could shine even brighter.

Now I do have concerns.

Freeman’s never faced SEC-level athleticism and physicality, and there will be an adjustment period. He’ll need to adjust to a lower usage role and we can’t ignore the coaching change and Steven Pearl’s lack of experience. Also, his jumper is still TBD. He hit 44% from three, but on just two attempts per game. The 81% from the line (on solid volume) is encouraging, but we just don’t know how real the shooting is yet.

Defensively, I’d like to see him be more of a disruptor given his tools. That said, 2.5 stocks per game is nothing to sneeze at.

Freeman just turned 19 in August. He’s an NBA-level athlete with a great motor and growing skill. There are legitimate indicators in his profile that suggest real upside. The road from Lincoln Memorial to the league is long, but after seeing Wells and Coward carve a path—it’s not unthinkable.

Will Elyjah Freeman be next?