NC State's Lennard Freeman could redshirt next season

NC State may be without forward Lennard Freeman for the 2016-17 season as he recovers from his second leg surgery.

Freeman underwent a procedure last summer in which a 16-inch steel rod was inserted in his leg. The 6-foot-8 forward was rushed back into the lineup and battled through the 2015-16 campaign with a stress reaction in the same leg. He underwent surgery Wednesday to have the rod removed and a new, thicker rod inserted, according to Brett Friedlander of the Wilmington Star News.

The Washington, D.C. native hopes to redshirt next year in order to fully recover, stabilizing and strengthening the leg so he can play a full schedule healthy.

"He needs time to fully heal, fully get himself ready and go through an offseason where he can actually work out every day and go through all of our skill development drills," said head coach Mark Gottfried.

Freeman averaged 3.2 points and 5 rebounds in 33 games last season.