Georgetown leading scorer Austin Freeman has diabetes, uncertain to play in upcoming games

Georgetown’s leading scorer Freeman has diabetes

WASHINGTON — Georgetown’s leading scorer Austin Freeman has been diagnosed with diabetes, leaving his status uncertain for the team’s upcoming games.

Freeman returned to practice Wednesday and Thursday after missing Monday night’s loss to West Virginia. He was also limited in Saturday’s loss to Notre Dame.

Originally thought to have a stomach virus, Freeman learned he had diabetes when he went to the hospital Monday night.

Coach John Thompson III said Thursday he is “100 percent” certain Freeman will play again this season, but the coach wouldn’t say whether the junior guard will return for Saturday’s regular-season finale against Cincinnati.

“It may be Saturday,” Thompson said. “I don’t know what the timeframe is going to take for us to learn how to monitor and work with him. But we will get to that point, and with all the experts and support we have, I don’t anticipate it being long.”

The No. 19 Hoyas will play in the Big East tournament next week.

As a precaution, a doctor from the university’s hospital will attend all of Freeman’s practices and games for the rest of the season.

“It just has to come to the point where I have to be honest with myself,” Freeman said. “If I’m not feeling well, make sure I tell coach or (the trainer) or the doctor that I’m not feeling well, or even my teammates if nobody’s around.”

Freeman is averaging 17 points per game for the Hoyas, who have lost four of their last five. He first disclosed his condition in an interview with The Washington Post.