Daniel Freitag is a rising basketball star whose athletic ability has made him a standout player at every level. Known for his exceptional skills on the court, Freitag has excelled in both high school basketball and beyond. With a reputation for his scoring ability, leadership, and determination, he has earned tremendous recognition from some of the top basketball programs in the country. As a highly sought-after player, Freitag’s journey from high school phenomenon to collegiate athlete has captivated basketball fans, and his future in the sport looks incredibly promising.
Freitag began his sports journey as an athlete in high school, excelling at both football and basketball. As a freshman at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, he started on the varsity boys’ basketball team, averaging 10 points per game. By his sophomore year, his scoring average had increased dramatically to 26 points.
During his junior season at Jefferson, he averaged 28.8 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, earning him the title of conference player of the year. This outstanding junior performance led to an offer from Wisconsin and his ultimate commitment the summer before his senior year. Even after his commitment to Wisconsin, Freitag still sought out opportunities to better his basketball career. He was originally committed to Southern California Academy—a sports high school—for his senior year, but later decided to stay local and join the Breck community.
As a high school senior at Breck, Freitag was a key part of the Breck Boys’ Basketball team and their success. He led the team to a 31-1 record and a Class 2A state championship, averaging a team-high 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. He was also a finalist for the 2024 Minnesota Mr. Basketball Award.
On January 3rd, 2025, Freitag achieved a significant milestone in his collegiate basketball journey, scoring his first points against the rival Iowa Hawkeyes in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup. The moment unfolded when Freitag executed an electrifying dunk that not only showcased his athleticism but also sent waves of excitement through the bench and ignited the crowd at the Kohl Center. When asked about the monumental occasion, Freitag declared, “It felt great, and it was a long time coming.” He went on to describe the exhilaration of soaring for the dunk in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans, saying, “Getting a dunk in front of a packed crowd felt amazing.”
If you’ve been following Freitag’s freshman year at the University of Wisconsin, you know that his journey has not followed the trajectory he envisioned. With limited playing time thus far, he has nevertheless made a noticeable impact during his appearances on the court. Freitag admitted that he hasn’t yet reached the personal goals he set for himself this season, but his spirit remains unbroken as he looks ahead with optimism for his future, both at Wisconsin and beyond. As the new year begins, the Badgers boast an impressive record of 15-3 and hold the 4th spot in the competitive Big Ten rankings. Here’s to hoping Freitag and the Badgers make a deep run in the electrifying atmosphere of March Madness! According to expert Andy Katz, they’re currently projected as a 5 seed in the tournament. But, as the saying goes, “Only time will tell.”
