Jamie Squire/Getty Images

College Basketball Leading Scorer Dismissed From Team Before March Madness

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 2:36 PM ET

No matter the level of basketball, it's never a good sign when you have to throw your leading scorer off the team.

On Sunday, Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic broke the news that Arizona State guard BJ Freeman had been dismissed from the team. Freeman, who transferred to ASU after two seasons at Milwaukee, was averaging 13.7 points in 25 games this year. However, he also was ejected from multiple games during Big 12 play and had previously been suspended for a game against Oklahoma State on Feb. 9.

Freeman's dismissal, like the suspension before it, was for the dreaded "conduct detrimental to the team."

“It was just unfortunate that it came to this. He’s our leading scorer and a very productive player for us,” Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley told reporters following Sunday's win over Kansas State. “It’s just we’ve had too many instances of either player or coach conduct with BJ, and he was already suspended once.

“It was a really hard decision to make, but it was based on this year, and he’s got another season to play,” Hurley added. “I’m sure that he’s going to still have a very good market for a place to land next year.”

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 01: Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley removes his tie during the college basketball game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Arizona State Sun Devils on February 1, 2025 at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

A 6-foot-6 multifaceted scorer, Freeman averaged 18.2 points and 21.1 points per game in his two seasons at Milwaukee, including 25.8 points per game in the 2024 Horizon League Tournament.

Freeman started the season coming off the bench for the Sun Devils before entering the starting lineup in the fourth game. He reached double-figures in 20 of 25 contests, including a stretch of eight straight from Dec. 21 to Jan. 21.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Freeman should have suitors in the transfer portal, but he's going to have to answer for his behavior and this dismissal to whatever teams pursue him.

Following last night's win, Arizona State is now 13-14 overall and 4-12 in Big 12 play.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: