Crier Portal Spotlight: Closer Look at Wings BJ Freeman & Anthony Dell’Orso

With the Friars already landing a big man and a guard via the portal, they still have more work to do to fill out the roster. Kim English and staff are still looking for a wing player that could replace production from Ticket Gaines. It seemed as if the Friars would’ve added that first after a good visit from Rutgers freshman Gavin Griffiths; however, he still remains uncommitted and is visiting the University of Nebraska this weekend.

There are two other names that are starting to emerge as potential fits on the wing for the Friars. They would be UW-Milwaukee’s BJ Freeman and Campbell’s Anthony Dell’Orso. We take a closer look at each of their games.

We will start with BJ Freeman, who Friar fans may remember went for 33 points against PC at the AMP in November. Freeman averaged 21.1 ppg to go along with 6.6 RPG and 4.1 APG. Originally hailing from Selma, North Carolina, BJ has been a star for the Panthers these past two seasons after coming over from Dodge City CC and figures to be one of the better players in all of the portal (currently ranked 55th per 247Sports). When he first entered the portal there were murmurs that he could end up at Kentucky to play for Coach Calipari. Obviously, that’s out the window with Coach Cal going to Arkansas, but it’s very possible the Hogs could emerge as contenders for his services.

BJ Freeman had a game against the Friars with 33 points

Freeman has good size at 6-6 and is a three-level scorer. He shot it 42% from the floor, 35% from three (on 7 attempts a game) and has always been a great free throw shooter at nearly 83% for his career. He is especially good off the catch with an effective field goal percentage, putting him in the 82nd percentile nationally. Freeman sometimes can be sloppy with the basketball averaging 3.4 turnovers per contest over his career. Some of that could be a by-product of having to do so much for his team and a game against Detroit Mercy where he had 11 turnovers probably didn’t help the averages.

Anthony Dell’Orso entered the portal after a huge season in his second year at Campbell. The Australian native had a terrific year averaging 19.5 ppg (49% FG) to go along with 6.5 rpg and almost two assists per game. He earned 2nd team all-CAA honors this past season after he was Big South freshman of the year the year prior. This wouldn’t be the first time the Friars tried to land an Aussie via the portal. If you remember last year the Friars were after Cal Baptist guard Taran Armstrong until he decided to play professionally in the NBL. Assistant coach Nate Tomlinson hails from and played professionally in Australia.

Anthony Dell’Orso after hitting a floater to sink Radford in Big South Semis in 2023

Like BJ Freeman, Dell’Orso also stands in at 6-6 and provides great scoring punch. He’s excellent attacking the basket and is good on catch and shoot threes. He does have to work on his creation off the dribble but sees the floor well and is a good passer for a wing.

There are plenty of commonality with BJ Freeman’s and Anthony Dell’Orso’s games. They are both good passers and shooters, which is something Kim English was looking to improve with his roster and has done so already with Bensley Joseph and Christ Essandoko. Either of these guys would be great additions to the program and fit an immediate need. These are two names Friar fans should monitor as the portal keeps on churning, along with Gavin Griffiths.

BOC: I’m curious if we try to take two of Griffiths, Freeman, and Dell’Orso. It would be nice to nab one of the guys with multiple years of eligibility, while also getting Freeman to fill an immediate need post Devin Carter departure.

Providence Crier Recruiting Articles

Analyzing the Impact of Chris Essandoko – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/10/the-return-of-christ-one-time-friar-commit-transfers-to-providence/

Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Chattanooga Forward Sam Alexis – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/05/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-chattanooga-big-sam-alexis/

Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Miami Guard Bensley Joseph – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/02/crier-portal-guide-spotlight-miami-guard-bensley-joseph/

Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Gavin Griffiths – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/04/02/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-rutgers-freshman-wing-gavin-griffiths/

2024 Portal Guide – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/26/providence-crier-portal-guide/

2024 Portal Needs – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/24/2024-providence-crier-portal-needs/

Garwey Dual Transfers – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/03/22/garwey-dual-reportedly-enters-transfer-portal-analyzing-the-impact/

Crier Recruiting Corner, Introducing Jaylen Harrell – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/02/20/crier-recruiting-corner-introducing-2025-wing-jaylen-harrell/

Crier Recruiting Corner – Introducing Jamier Jones – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/02/19/crier-recruiting-corner-taking-a-look-at-oak-ridges-jamier-jones-25/

The Week of the Frontcourt – Turning a Weakness into a Strength – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/01/14/the-week-of-the-frontcourt-turning-a-weakness-into-a-strength/

Providence Lands 2025 Big Oswin Erhunmwunse – https://theprovidencecrier.com/2024/01/11/providence-lands-elite-big-man-oswin-erhunmwunse-analyzing-the-commitment/