Freeman was outstanding at St. Andrews High School and led the state of South Carolina in scoring with a 31.7-point average as a senior. He averaged 22 points a game as a junior, 19 as a sophomore, and 13.7 as a freshman—the first freshman in the school's history to make the varsity squad. He went to Iowa Western Community College as a freshman, at IWCC, under Walt Stanton, Freeman averaged 18 points a game and led the Jays to within one game of the national junior college playoffs.

In 1981, Freeman transferred from Iowa Western Community College to WVU and had three years of eligibility as a Mountaineer. In 1981 season, he played in 20 games and was the team's fourth leading scorer with a 6.8 average. He led WVU in scoring three times in 1981 season, including a 22-point performance against St. Bonaventure in the Mountaineers' 1,000th all-time victory. In the 1982 season, Freeman played every game, averaging 6.7-point a game with an impressive 95 assists. Freeman was selected as the Eastern Eight's Co-rookie of the Year along with Massachusetts' Edwin Green and was twice selected rookie of the week by the league. Freeman majored in physical education.