James “Buck” Freeman Inducted in 2004

From 1927-36 James "Buck" Freeman coached St Johns. In his first four years, from 1927 to 1931, the team had an 85–8 record. The 1929–30 and 1930–31 teams were known as the "Wonder Five", made up of Matty Begovich, Mac Kinsbrunner, Max Posnack, Allie Schuckman, and Jack "Rip" Gerson, who together helped revolutionize the game of basketball, and made St. John's the marquee team in New York City. On January 19, 1931, the Wonder Five team was a part of the first college basketball triple-header at Madison Square Garden in a charity game that saw St. John's beat CCNY by a score of 17–9. Freeman finished his coaching career with a record of 177–31, a .850 winning percentage.