Photo by: AJ Henderson - Georgia Southern Athletics
FEATURE: Lydia Freeman Enjoys Her Basketball Odyssey At Georgia Southern
2/6/2024 1:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior had to be convinced to give the sport a try in high school
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern 6-5 senior center Lydia Freeman started playing basketball in her freshman year of high school after Westlake Head Coach Hilda Hankerson asked her to come to tryouts during her open house visit.
Freeman would go on to win three State championships with her High School team from 2018 to 2020. "I feel like it prepared me a lot for college," Lydia says. "College is harder than high school but I know what the championship feeling is and what you need to win one, I'm definitely ready to get another one."
Growing up in Atlanta for Lydia, basketball was a very popular sport in the city. "I played a lot of nationally known players, I also got to travel a lot," Lydia says. "I got to play against a lot of good competition and was able to learn a lot more about basketball."
Her freshman season with The Eagles, Lydia played in all 24 games averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds and has since improved. "I've taken a lot of summers and I've stayed (in Statesboro) and tried to get better in the off season," said Lydia. "That's one of the big things that helped me keep going and improve throughout the year."
With all the recognition and awards that Freeman received while in high school, one would have to think that she had multiple colleges watching her. But Georgia Southern seemed to be her number one choice. The 6-5 player committed right after her first visit.
"Coach Howard, She came to my high school to watch us scrimmage during the pre-season," Lydia said regarding how she came to Georgia Southern. "They ended up giving me an offer almost a week later and I came on my visit a month later." For Freeman the biggest factor was Georgia Southern's culture, another factor for her was the distance from her hometown of Atlanta, with Statesboro being only a 3-hour drive.
Lydia also spoke on her relationship with Coach Howard who says is "Almost like a second mom, I feel like she cares alot about you as a person and not just a basketball player," she added "I feel like she's always had an open door policy, even its not basketball related you can talk to her."
Being a senior in general means preparing to make decisions regarding your future, for a senior student-athlete means making slightly harder decisions.
But for Lydia, she already has her mind made up. "I plan on going to graduate school to get my master's degree and finishing up my eligibility," she said. Lydia also talked about making a career out of basketball. "If I was blessed with the opportunity, I would definitely play pro or go overseas," she says. "I could see myself trying coaching after college and after I'm done playing."
Playing basketball for almost 8 years is a big commitment but "the passion of winning" helps keep Lydia motivated to keep showing up on the court. "The passion of conquering new goals keeps me going, and the opportunities that come with playing basketball," she said.
If you ask any basketball player, current or former, they will most likely tell you how impactful the sport has been in their life, including Lydia. "If I didn't play basketball I probably wouldn't have traveled to half of the places I've been," she says. "I probably wouldn't know a lot of the people who have been impactful in my life, I wouldn't have met most of my closest friends."
Most importantly the opportunities that Lydia has received because of basketball. "I wouldn't have been put in the position I am now academically nor any of the opportunities that I'm gaining academically if it wasn't for basketball." Lydia made the 2022-23 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll last year.
While this is Lydia's senior year, you can expect to see her on the court again next season. As mentioned earlier, She plans on using her extra year of eligibility from COVID-19 to come back and play at Georgia Southern.
Freeman would go on to win three State championships with her High School team from 2018 to 2020. "I feel like it prepared me a lot for college," Lydia says. "College is harder than high school but I know what the championship feeling is and what you need to win one, I'm definitely ready to get another one."
Growing up in Atlanta for Lydia, basketball was a very popular sport in the city. "I played a lot of nationally known players, I also got to travel a lot," Lydia says. "I got to play against a lot of good competition and was able to learn a lot more about basketball."
Her freshman season with The Eagles, Lydia played in all 24 games averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds and has since improved. "I've taken a lot of summers and I've stayed (in Statesboro) and tried to get better in the off season," said Lydia. "That's one of the big things that helped me keep going and improve throughout the year."
With all the recognition and awards that Freeman received while in high school, one would have to think that she had multiple colleges watching her. But Georgia Southern seemed to be her number one choice. The 6-5 player committed right after her first visit.
"Coach Howard, She came to my high school to watch us scrimmage during the pre-season," Lydia said regarding how she came to Georgia Southern. "They ended up giving me an offer almost a week later and I came on my visit a month later." For Freeman the biggest factor was Georgia Southern's culture, another factor for her was the distance from her hometown of Atlanta, with Statesboro being only a 3-hour drive.
Lydia also spoke on her relationship with Coach Howard who says is "Almost like a second mom, I feel like she cares alot about you as a person and not just a basketball player," she added "I feel like she's always had an open door policy, even its not basketball related you can talk to her."
Being a senior in general means preparing to make decisions regarding your future, for a senior student-athlete means making slightly harder decisions.
But for Lydia, she already has her mind made up. "I plan on going to graduate school to get my master's degree and finishing up my eligibility," she said. Lydia also talked about making a career out of basketball. "If I was blessed with the opportunity, I would definitely play pro or go overseas," she says. "I could see myself trying coaching after college and after I'm done playing."
Playing basketball for almost 8 years is a big commitment but "the passion of winning" helps keep Lydia motivated to keep showing up on the court. "The passion of conquering new goals keeps me going, and the opportunities that come with playing basketball," she said.
If you ask any basketball player, current or former, they will most likely tell you how impactful the sport has been in their life, including Lydia. "If I didn't play basketball I probably wouldn't have traveled to half of the places I've been," she says. "I probably wouldn't know a lot of the people who have been impactful in my life, I wouldn't have met most of my closest friends."
Most importantly the opportunities that Lydia has received because of basketball. "I wouldn't have been put in the position I am now academically nor any of the opportunities that I'm gaining academically if it wasn't for basketball." Lydia made the 2022-23 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll last year.
While this is Lydia's senior year, you can expect to see her on the court again next season. As mentioned earlier, She plans on using her extra year of eligibility from COVID-19 to come back and play at Georgia Southern.
Players Mentioned
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