Hawkeye Basketball's Freeman, Harding Share Full-Court Connection
PHOTOS: John Emigh
Brock Harding and Owen Freeman headline a sophomore class that Hawkeye basketball coach Fran McCaffery says has "really elevated their games."
Brock Harding wasn’t sure he’d get along with fellow Hawkeye Owen Freeman when they first met playing AAU basketball in high school. Harding was initially amused by Freeman’s gangly appearance. Freeman jokes that Harding was shorter than he expected. But their chemistry as teammates grew as they stepped onto the court.
The Illinois natives developed a rapport in their first practice together in 2019 for MidPro Academy, a premier AAU basketball program. Harding threw lobs to Freeman inside, and Freeman found Harding for open shots outside. A dynamic duo emerged. “Everything flowed together perfectly as soon as we started playing,” says Harding.
Throughout four seasons with MidPro Academy and a senior-year state championship run with Moline High School in Illinois, Harding and Freeman developed a connection on and off the court that carried into their first season on the Iowa men’s basketball team. The UI sophomores enter this season determined to shoulder bigger roles and take the Hawkeyes on an NCAA tournament run.
Fire and Ice
Harding still gives Freeman a hard time, whether it’s poking fun at his WWE fandom or his use of replacement words such as “frick” and “daggumit” to avoid swearing. Freeman, who transferred to Moline before his senior season, dishes it right back. “That just shows the kind of relationship we have,” says Freeman. “We like to tease each other a lot.”
They hold each other to a high standard on the court and play with a swagger and awareness, seemingly always knowing where the other is. Harding provided a spark off the bench last season with his energy and playmaking. Freeman, last year’s Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, offers a steadying presence with his scoring efficiency and shot blocking. “He’s more the fiery guy, and I’m more chill,” Freeman says, “but I feel like we’ve rubbed off on each other.”
Bigger, Stronger, Motivated
The two share a chip-on-their-shoulder mentality that’s fueled their improvement this offseason. To better handle the rigors of Big Ten play, Harding added 10 pounds to his 6-foot frame, while 6-foot-10-inch Freeman tacked on more than 20 pounds. Beyond their strength gains, Harding raised the quickness and release point of his jump shot, while Freeman developed his dribbling and outside shot. They embraced the opportunity to return to Moline for a nonconference game in November against Washington State—the first Hawkeye showdown in the Quad Cities in 26 years—and prove any doubters wrong.
“[Outside] expectations for our team aren’t super high,” says Harding. “Everybody on our team enjoys that underdog mentality. We know what our team can do, and everyone’s excited for the noise we’re going to make this season.”
Brock Harding finds his longtime teammate Owen Freeman open for a basket in a November nonconference victory over Washington State in Moline, Illinois.It's like they've known each other forever 🤷♂️@hardingbrock2 x @_OwenFreeman pic.twitter.com/KIutHTld1O
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 17, 2024
Get to Know Brock and Owen
What Their Tattoos Tell
One of Harding's tattoos reads: Trust Your Work. “That’s always been my thing. I’ve never been the biggest, tallest, or strongest, and I’ve always outworked everybody that I’ve seen in front of me—and that kind of translates to my confidence on the court. I know that nobody’s worked harder than me, so I’m going to have confidence in whatever I do.”
Freeman has a tattoo to remind him of Isaiah 41:10. “It’s just knowing that’s where my confidence and strength come from. I struggle with some fear and anxiety, so it helps me with that and just knowing that I don’t need to worry about anything, and that’s ultimately where all my abilities come from.”
Sophomore Growth
Harding: “Owen is pretty relaxed on and off the court, but now he’s been stepping into his own a bit and getting a little more animated on the court. It’s a good thing most times.”
Freeman: “I think Brock will step into that starting point guard role and lead this team. It’s something I’ve seen him do on both the teams we’ve played on [before]. His leadership and the way he’s going to play will shock a lot of people.”
Get to Know Brock and Owen
What Their Tattoos Tell
One of Harding's tattoos reads: Trust Your Work. “That’s always been my thing. I’ve never been the biggest, tallest, or strongest, and I’ve always outworked everybody that I’ve seen in front of me—and that kind of translates to my confidence on the court. I know that nobody’s worked harder than me, so I’m going to have confidence in whatever I do.”
Freeman has a tattoo to remind him of Isaiah 41:10. “It’s just knowing that’s where my confidence and strength come from. I struggle with some fear and anxiety, so it helps me with that and just knowing that I don’t need to worry about anything, and that’s ultimately where all my abilities come from.”
Sophomore Growth
Harding: “Owen is pretty relaxed on and off the court, but now he’s been stepping into his own a bit and getting a little more animated on the court. It’s a good thing most times.”
Freeman: “I think Brock will step into that starting point guard role and lead this team. It’s something I’ve seen him do on both the teams we’ve played on [before]. His leadership and the way he’s going to play will shock a lot of people.”