Making adjustments is a pretty common occurrence for any basketball player, but how different is it to make an adjustment on the hard court with a complete change of scenery?

Redshirt sophomore Marke Freeman has had some wild adjustments to make over the past two years. The Springfield native has made the transition from Rattler to Huskie by transferring to NIU from Florida A&M after her freshman season.

After growing up in southern Illinois, Freeman had a simple reason for choosing a Florida school.

“One of the major reasons I decided to go to Florida A&M was the location,” Freeman said. “It was in Florida; it was a beautiful place with beautiful people. I don’t know. I went down there on a visit and I felt like that’s where I wanted to be.”

The warm weather wasn’t enough to keep Freeman away from home though, as the pull of family drew her back.

“I’m a big mama’s girl,” Freeman joked. “It was a little too far away from home, so I decided I wanted to get back closer to home with my mom and my family, so I made the transfer.”

The transfer wasn’t without its own hiccups as there were problems with Freeman getting her release from the university.

When all was said and done, Freeman was able to make the choice to transfer to NIU, with some help from her high school mentor Jim Youngman.

Freeman had to sit out last year, per NCAA transfer regulations, but the time out may have been beneficial to the point guard.

“I think [sitting out a year] helped her in knowing what it is we need out of a point guard,” said NIU head coach Carol Owens. “She’s a basketball nut. What’s difficult for the player is you’ve got to sit out and not play. You’re only allowed to practice, and you can’t travel.”

Freeman had a lot of Division I offers, but said that she felt the same kind of fit with NIU that she did initially with FAMU.

“Immediately, I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Freeman said. “There’s nothing like being around a lot of good people and a lot of people that will have your back. I knew this was a perfect fit.”

The change hasn’t been without adjustments though, as learning a new program and gelling with a new team will always take time. Freeman said her biggest adjustment might not be expected.

“The weather, oh my gosh,” Freeman jokes. “I don’t even think it’s the cold, it’s the wind. Oh my gosh, with a couple inches of snow, we’re witnessing it right now.”

Even with the frigid temperatures and different atmosphere, Freeman wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Florida A&M was a great university,” Freeman said. “But for my situation, NIU was good for me, so I made the adjustment and I’m here now.”

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