Cleveland's own Enrique Freeman gets drafted by the Indiana Pacers | INCREDIBLE STORY

Cleveland native Enrique Freeman saw his dreams come true on Thursday.

The Indiana Pacers selected the Akron Zips big man with the #50 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A huge congratulations to the local kid as he goes into the league. How much do you cheer for local players when they make it big?

Enrique Freeman became the first Akron player to be selected in the modern two-round NBA Draft era as the Indiana Pacers selected him with the 50th pick of the second round.

He becomes the seventh Zip to be drafted in the NBA Draft, joining Joe Wahl (Philadelphia Warriors, 1948), Bill Turner (Golden State Warriors, 1967), Len Paul (Detroit Pistons, 1973), Nate Barnett (Houston Rockets, 1975), Joe Jakubic (Cleveland Cavaliers, 1984) and Marcel Boyce (Phoenix Suns, 1987).

Freeman continued to elevate his draft stock at the conclusion of the NCAA Tournament, competing at the Portsmouth Invitational while receiving an invite to the G-League Combine. After stellar performances at the G-League Combine, he was invited to the NBA Combine where he continued to impress.

Freeman racked up accolades the past season as he was named an All-American by the Associated Press, a top-five finalist for the Karl Malone Award, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, an All-MAC First Team and All-Defensive Team selection, the MAC Tournament MVP while being named to the Oscar Robertson All-American list and a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award.

Finishing first in all-time rebounds with 1,405, second in career blocks with 188 and third in all-time points with 1,843.

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