Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Big man Zach Freemantle will return to Xavier in 2023-24 for his fifth season of college basketball.

Freemantle, who joined the program in 2019-20, opted to use the fifth year of NCAA eligibility granted to all student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xavier's basketball managers broke the news on their Twitter account Monday, soon confirmed by the team's official account.

Freemantle has started 78 of his 105 career appearances at Xavier and boasts career averages of 11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

The 6-foot-9 forward missed the Musketeers' final 15 games last season after needing surgery to address a left foot injury. He was averaging 15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and a career-best 2.9 assists per game before his season was cut short.

As a sophomore in 2020-21, Freemantle won Big East Most Improved Player and was named to the All-Big East second team after averaging 16.1 points and 8.9 rebounds over 21 starts.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Two young stars get hefty bonuses for making All-NBA teams
Mavericks star duo joins exclusive club with Game 1 win
Mavericks ride 'Luka Magic' on both ends late to win Game 1
Panthers shut out Rangers 3-0 in Eastern Conference Final opener
NBA announces 2023-24 All-NBA teams
Star Padres infielder to miss significant time with shoulder injury
LeBron James, Charles Barkley passionately defend Caitlin Clark from 'petty' haters
Roger Goodell discusses factors for possible 18-game NFL season
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has intriguing comment on his contract situation
Celtics toying around with surprise Jayson Tatum move in conference finals
Former teammate warns Tee Higgins about pitfalls of playing on franchise tag
Watch: Timberwolves and Mavericks trade dunks in third quarter
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner tempers expectations for Juan Soto extension
Canucks' Rick Tocchet wins 2024 Jack Adams Award
Incredible Orioles streak finally comes to end against Cardinals
Raiders QB shares surprising reason for switching jersey number
New Jersey Devils to hire just-fired head coach to lead bench
Latest announcements show how deep Knicks' injury issues ran
Veteran WR announces retirement after nine seasons
Eagles stars defend new DC following criticism