Who Are Zach Freemantle’s Parents? All About Larry and Michaela Freemantle

Zachary Vincent Freemantle was born on October 18, 2000, in Teaneck, New Jersey. After a standout career at Xavier, where he earned two All-Big East selections, led the Musketeers to the NCAA Tournament, and became one of just four players in program history to rank top-10 in both points and rebounds.

That toughness? It was built long before Xavier or the NBA. It was formed in Rucker Park, Dyckman, and Hamilton Park. It was embedded in him through the way he was raised. “He was raised like that,” said Xavier assistant coach Jonas Hayes. “His mom and dad are tough people. They gave him tough love. They love him hard, but it’s tough love. That’s how he was raised. That’s how he plays.” So let us have a look at the people who raised Zachary.

Who Are Zach Freemantle’s Parents?

Zach’s parents, Larry and Michaela Freemantle, both of whom played college basketball. Larry played one year at SUNY Purchase, while Michaela played four years at John Carroll University. They passed the game down to Zach and his younger brother. Michaela stands 6 feet tall. Larry, 6-foot-4. “Basketball is in his blood,” Bergen Catholic head coach Billy Armstrong once said. Their DNA and their discipline built a forward who plays with emotion and doesn’t shy away from physicality.

Zach’s upbringing wasn’t about flash, it was about grit. “He wanted to skateboard, surf and snowboard,” said Larry. “That’s all he wanted to do. He’ll deny it but I’ve got the pictures.” Michaela remembers a pivotal moment in Zach’s basketball journey. His freshman year of high school, he was still developing and hadn’t yet stood out on the court. He was “an okay player,” in her words. But everything changed heading into his sophomore season. That is when Zach began to take a noticeable leap. According to Michaela, once he committed to the game and set a goal, there was no stopping him. She saw firsthand how determined he was to improve and succeed, and from that point on, his trajectory was clearly upward. Now stepping into the NBA spotlight, the 6-foot-9 forward recently signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Where Did Larry and Michaela Freemantle Meet?

While their exact love story isn’t available to the public, both Larry and Michaela Freemantle share a common love for basketball. They met at some point after their college careers, as Larry is from SUNY Purchase and Michaela from John Carroll University. The couple raised their family in Teaneck, New Jersey, a town known for basketball culture and proximity to elite playgrounds like Rucker Park.

What Is the Ethnicity of Zach Freemantle’s Parents?

Larry and Michaela Freemantle are White Americans. The family roots trace through suburban basketball culture in the Northeast, specifically New York and New Jersey. Larry grew up in Monroe, New York, and was born in Queens, giving Zach strong ties to the basketball-rich landscape of the Tri-State area.

Inside Zach Freemantle’s Relationship with His Parents

The foundation of Zach’s intensity on the court? It comes from home. “That boy has got a high level of fire to him,” said Jonas Hayes. His parents saw it early. Michaela remembered the moment he first dunked, calling Larry from a park near his brother Ian’s baseball game to announce he’d won their bet. “We had a bet that I wouldn’t be able to dunk before high school started,” Zach said. “But I was in between, so I got it.”

Larry, Zach’s father, has always remained humble and grounded throughout his son’s basketball journey, even during major moments like Zach playing at the iconic Rucker Park. He shared, “When I was a kid I had a Dr. J poster hanging on my wall. I love Dr. J and he made it from Rucker Park.” For Larry, watching Zach play there, and later at Xavier, felt surreal, like a full-circle moment from his own childhood dreams to witnessing his son live them out.

Although to fans Zach is known for his fiery play, Michaela recalled the moment after his college debut against Jacksonville, where he couldn’t stop smiling or sit still from the excitement. That night stood out to him because he got his first in-game dunk, but also because Michaela was there. Zach admitted, “I can’t stop smiling when I’m with my mom. I don’t get to see her too much.” But it hasn’t all been highlight reels and celebrations.

When Zach underwent foot surgery and missed the entire 2023–24 season. It was a blow, but he leaned on his parents. “In order for him to play he had to step up and I think that’s when he realized that first of all, I’m good at this and I can do this, and in order for me to be really successful I need to step up and be tenacious and not give up,” his mother said. Zach returned stronger than ever in 2024–25, averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. From the concrete of Rucker to the Big East hardwood, and now the Clippers’ training camp, Zach carries that toughness every step of the way. As he put it himself: “It’s just how I was raised.”