For Enrique Freeman, the wound remains fresh.

The rookie forward from the University of Akron watched from the bench as the Indiana Pacers’ magical run to the NBA Finals ended with star Tyrese Haliburton’s crushing Achilles tear in a Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“It’s just like any team, you go to war. All 18 of us went to war to try to get that win and we ended up falling a little short, and some of our warriors went down and we picked ‘em up,” Freeman said. “It does hurt.”

But Freeman was buoyed by the experience, even as his time with the Pacers recently came to an end.

Drafted 50th overall in 2024, the former Mid-American Conference player of the year had his two-way qualifying offer withdrawn by the Pacers with his consent, making him an unrestricted free agent. Freeman is set to sign a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shams Charania reported on Aug. 1, with the possibility he could be elevated to the Wolves’ 15th roster spot.

“I’ve learned a lot and I’m super thankful for the Pacers and all the guys that helped me there,” Freeman said at the Zips’ Basketball Alumni Game at Rhodes Arena on July 24. Freeman was a spectator, cheering many of UA’s former MAC championship players from behind the bench.

As he turns 25 on July 29, Freeman remains patient, carrying the Pacers’ never-say-die mentality into the next chapter of his career.

Enrique Freeman shakes hands with Nolan Pascu during the Akron men’s basketball alumni game July 24, 2025.

“Being at Akron, I came in here as a walk-on, I’ve been in this position before where sometimes the light is not as bright as you want it to be,” Freeman said. “But you’ve got to sit in the low light for a little bit to watch it get bright. It’s just a matter of time, learning and taking advantage of every opportunity.”

Freeman, 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, played in 22 games for the Pacers last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.2 minutes while shooting .432 from the field. He posted season highs of eight points and eight rebounds in the regular-season finale on April 13, a double-overtime victory over the Cavs that gave Indiana its 50th victory.

Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman drives to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 13, 2025, in Cleveland.

With the Indiana Mad Ants of the G League, the St. Martin de Porres High School product flashed his potential. He played in 14 games (all starts) and posted averages of 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 blocked shots in 34.3 minutes, shooting .538 from the field.

Two-way players can travel and practice during the NBA playoffs, but cannot participate in games. Freeman didn’t allow his time in the “low light” to diminish the miraculous moments the Pacers enjoyed.

“It’s definitely one of those rare experiences,” he said. “You don’t know what to expect. Going into my rookie year I thought, ‘We’re going to have a good team.’ I thought we had a great chance to win it, too; the championship culture was there.

“To view it and be a part of the team and see the details from those older guys was amazing for me and my career. I’m really speechless to describe the year.”

Freeman’s mother, Tania Torres, a Cleveland police officer, is still glowing over the Pacers’ run. The team provided flights to road games for family members and, with the support of her boss, Torres was able to take time off.

“It was mind-blowing. It was incredible. It felt like it was a movie,” she said at UA. “For him to accomplish all that in his first year was amazing. It takes a lot of players all their careers to get there.

“It would have been greater if he was playing. But the fact that he was there and we were there with him, it was fantastic.”

While his family celebrated in the stands, Freeman soaked in every detail from the bench.

Enrique Freeman, center, hugs fans as he returns to Rhodes Arena for the Akron men’s basketball alumni game July 24, 2025.

“It definitely had challenges, but timing is everything,” Freeman said. “There’s times you’ve got to lead and there’s times you’ve got to just watch. That was a time for me to watch and learn and see everything that’s going on, what we do in shootaround and game time. Guys who have been there before tell you to slow down and take in the moment. It’s only 48 minutes ... It happens quick.

“Also, you’re in Game 7, in the news, everybody’s around you. How do you stay quiet in these moments?”

Freeman saw the Pacers rely on their fire and determination as they eliminated the top-seeded Cavs 4-1 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with two shocking victories coming in Freeman’s hometown of Cleveland. In Game 2, Haliburton hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to cap a 20-point comeback, including a seven-point deficit in the final 50 seconds. In Game 5, the Cavs blew a 19-point lead.

“For me it was definitely a little surreal being there and kind of like, ‘Wow, we’re playing the Cavs to advance,’” Freeman said.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hugs Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley after Game 5 in the second round of the NBA playoffs, May 13, 2025, in Cleveland.

He managed to suppress his lifelong love of the Cavs.

“At the time it wasn’t there because you shift your mindset as a competitor,” he said. “But deep down in my heart … my family, they’re torn. My brother is like, ‘I love you. I’m always going to root for the Pacers, but the Cavs, aaah.’ To hear it from them, I know it’s deep in there.”

Freeman got back on the court in July and was pleased with his improvement in five Summer League games with the Pacers. He averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 27.8 minutes and shot .725 from the field.

Asked what he liked most about his Las Vegas performance, Freeman said, “For me it was the efficiency and playing hard. Those are always the two you can’t question about me.”

“Summer League was a great opportunity. I showcased a lot of my game and I shot it really well,” he said. “I think I’ve been showing improvement in all areas. I’ve had a lot of development over the year, and it’s been amazing. I’m a good defender. I can guard everyone. I’m a smart player. I have a good IQ. It’s just a matter of where I’m needed and where I can help them win.”

Freeman’s high-motor style seemed a perfect fit for the fast-paced Pacers, but they elected to sign guard Taelon Peter, their 54th overall pick in 2025, to their final two-way roster spot on July 24.

“I definitely kept up with the pace of playing faster, making quick decisions,” Freeman said. “That’s the thing, I offer that.

“What has happened over the years, and with the Pacers’ success, the play style around the league has changed to that. That makes me more valuable within the league.”

To stay in the NBA, Freeman knows he will have to overcome the perception he’s a center in a forward’s body.

“Of course,” he said. “It’s also a tool I add to teams. I added it to the Pacers. Most of the year I played the 4 and then in Summer League I had to play a little small ball because of our roster. A lot of the game now, there’s still positions, but you have to be positionless.”

Before a preseason game in Cleveland on Oct. 10, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Freeman had the potential to play power forward and small forward, perhaps developing into a 3-and-D wing that is coveted in the NBA. That night, Carlisle called Freeman “a piece of clay that can be molded on a lot of levels.”

Even though his time in Indiana has ended, Freeman and Torres are excited about his future.

“His first year, you can’t ask for nothing better,” Torres said. “He’s a very coachable young man; all his life he’s been like that.

“He stays very humble, very grateful for his opportunities and keeps moving forward. We’re all grateful for that. We change nothing; we stay ourselves.”

This story has been updated with new information

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Enrique Freeman to sign with Minnesota Timberwolves, eager to showcase game, make impact