As expected, Zach Freemantle will return to Xavier for the 2024-25 season.
Freemantle will use his extra year of eligibility to return to the Musketeers after missing all of last season, according to a report from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports and confirmed by the school.
As a senior, Freemantle missed Xavier’s run to the Sweet 16 due to a foot injury that required season-ending surgery in March 2023. Six months later, Freemantle needed surgery on his second foot and lost all 2023-24 season.
Freemantle averaged 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds during the 2022-23 season and Xavier was unable to replace that production last season with a frontcourt that struggled with inexperience and inconsistency. In four seasons at Xavier, Freemantle averaged 11.7 points and shot 50.8% from the field.
Xavier coach Sean Miller said Freemantle and fellow forward Jerome Hunter would essentially serve as new recruits for next season after sitting out a year. Freemantle now joins guard Dayvion McKnight as two Musketeers from the program’s first losing season in 28 years to confirm they are returning.
After losing seven players through the transfer portal, Xavier’s only addition so far is Furman transfer guard Marcus Foster.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier forward Zach Freemantle will return to the Musketeers next season