Trail Blazers sign international F/C Joel Freeland
Freeland (number 11) will suit up for Portland six years after they drafted him
After playing overseas for clubs like Unicaja Malaga and the national team for Great Britain, F/C Joel Freeland who was the 30th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2006 NBA Draft has finally signed a contract with the team and will play for the Blazers this coming season.
From the Portland Trail Blazers press release:
“The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Joel Freeland, it was announced today by General Manager Neil Olshey. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Trail Blazers’ 30th overall selection in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft, Freeland joins the Trail Blazers from Unicaja Malaga in the Spanish ACB League.
“The timing was right to bring Joel over and we’re thrilled it worked out,” said Olshey. “He is a rugged interior player with a nice touch around the basket and he plays hard every game. Joel will be a nice addition to the roster.”
Over the past three seasons with Unicaja Malaga, Freeland (6-11, 225) posted averages of 12.6 points (55.3% FG), 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 24.6 minutes in Euroleague and ACB play. He spent the previous three seasons with Gran Canaria, also of the Spanish ACB League.
Freeland, 25, is a starter for the Great Britain national basketball team, which will compete as the host country in this summer’s London Olympics. A native of Farnham, England, he led the national team with 15 points in a game vs. Spain earlier this week.
He will wear No. 19 with the Trail Blazers.”
photo courtesy of sport-enews.com
Nicholas Filipas