One of the top prospects in the Class of 2018 in the state of Illinois, Javon Freeman-Liberty signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday and will join the Valparaiso University men’s basketball program as a freshman for the 2018-19 season.

"Javon is a dynamic and versatile two-way player that we are excited about adding to our basketball program," said Crusader head coach Matt Lottich. "He can guard multiple positions defensively and can excel at multiple positions on the offensive end."

Freeman-Liberty helped lead Whitney Young H.S. to the Illinois Class 4A state title last year as a junior, averaging 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The 6’4” Chicago native is a consensus top-10 prospect in his class in Illinois and is ranked fifth overall in the state and 37th nationally among shooting guards by ESPN. He played his AAU basketball last summer for Meanstreets.

Freeman-Liberty is the first Whitney Young product to join the Crusader men’s basketball program since Ron Howard – a two-time All Mid-Continent Conference honoree – suited up for Valpo from 2003 through 2006.

"It didn't take long for us as a staff to make Javon a priority in recruiting," said Lottich. "He embodies everything we love in a student-athlete. Javon is going to do special things in a Valpo uniform and the Valpo basketball faithful are going to have a lot to cheer about with him on the court."