Buck Freeman (basketball)

Freeman played forward and center for St. John's basketball team.[1][2] After graduating in 1927, he became the team's head coach.[3] From 1927 to 1931, he coached the "Wonder Five" of Matty Begovich, Mac Kinsbrunner, Max Posnack, Allie Schuckman, and Jack "Rip" Gerson. The group compiled a 88–8 record and led the university to national prominence.[4] He also served as the school's baseball coach and athletic director. He resigned unexpectedly in 1936 without giving a reason.[5]

In 1937, Freeman became basketball head coach at St. Thomas College (now known as the University of Scranton).[6] He left the school after one season to become athletic director at Iona Preparatory School, where he had coached football since 1928.[6][7] In 1938, he became an assistant basketball coach at Long Island University. He succeeded Clair Bee as the school's baseball coach the following spring.[8] In 1941, he became head basketball coach at Power Memorial Academy.[9] In 1947, Freeman returned to the University of Scranton following the in-season resignation of John "Les" Dickman.[10] He resigned after two losing seasons and rejoined the athletic staff at LIU, where he remained until the school dropped its basketball program in 1951 following a point shaving scandal.[11][12]

Freeman served as an assistant coach under one of his former players, Frank McGuire, at the University of North Carolina and University of South Carolina.[3] McGuire called Freeman "the best assistant coach in the business" and gave him much of the credit for the success of the Tar Heels national championship team.[13] In between his stints at the two schools, Freeman was a scout for the Houston Colt 45s.[14]

Freeman resigned after the 1972–73 season, but remained involved with the South Carolina program as a consultant and adviser.[15] He died on February 14, 1974 at Providence Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.[3]