Support Jerome's Lifelong Basketball Journey

My name is Jerome “The Hook” Freeman, and I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am honored to share that I will be inducted into the Crane Tech High School Hall of Fame — a moment that represents a full-circle journey from my roots on the West Side of Chicago to a life shaped by basketball and community.

I was the third of eight children, growing up across from a park where I first heard the inviting bounce of a basketball at the age of six. That rhythmic sound sparked a lifelong passion that kept me grounded, focused, and out of trouble. Basketball became more than a sport — it was a way of life, a safe haven, and ultimately, a bridge to opportunity.

My skills on the court earned me a scholarship to Mineral Area Junior College in Flat River, Missouri. During this time, I helped a friend, Herman Frank Gibson, get a scholarship to Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Thanks to the recommendation of my childhood friend and teammate Al Davis, I was introduced to Coach Bruce O’Neil at the University of Hawaii. Al and I both chose to continue our basketball journey in the Aloha State — a place that reflected the same spirit of care, sharing, and community I knew growing up in Chicago.

Now, I am being invited back to “Shy Town” to be recognized for my contributions to the game and to my community. I will be inducted into the Crane Tech High School Hall of Fame alongside the brothers of my youth — my basketball ‘Ohana — from the Gladstone Playground. This recognition is deeply meaningful to me and symbolizes the Aloha I’ve carried with me throughout my life.

In order to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event, I am humbly requesting financial assistance to help cover the costs of travel, lodging, transportation, and meals. It would mean the world to return home, to honor the community that raised me, and to share my gratitude and Aloha with those who helped shape my journey.