Joel Freeland
Encyclopedia
Joel Freeland is a British
professional basketball player. He is a forward
-center
. His playing style has been compared to that of David Lee
of the Golden State Warriors
and former NBA player Keon Clark
. He was selected in the 2006 NBA Draft
by the Portland Trail Blazers
.
side Solent Stars
, who are based in Southampton
. While he was playing basketball there he also had a job as a shelf stacker in Farnham
. He then moved to Gran Canaria II, of the Spanish Third Division.
On June 28, 2006, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft
with the 30th overall draft pick. However, the Trail Blazers encouraged him to return to European play to further improve his game; in August 2006, he signed a 2-year contract with Gran Canaria
of the Spanish ACB League.
. Freeland would continue to improve during the 2007-2008 season, appearing in 28 games and reaching the quarter finals of the ULEB Cup. The 2008-2009 season would see Freeland become one of Canaria's best players, averaging 10 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 minutes a game.
club Unicaja Málaga on a 5 year contract worth €
4.5 million euros net income
. During the 2009-2010 season Freeland made his Euroleague
debut and made 32 ACB appearances. The 2010-2011 season was Freeland's best so far, averaging career highs of 13.3 points and 6 rebounds a game.
for the Great Britain national basketball team
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional basketball player. He is a forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
-center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. His playing style has been compared to that of David Lee
David Lee (basketball)
David Lee is an American professional basketball player who is a power forward and center for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association . He played college basketball for the University of Florida and was selected by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2005 NBA...
of the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and former NBA player Keon Clark
Keon Clark
Arian Keon Clark is a former American National Basketball Association player.After a collegiate career at two different junior colleges and UNLV, Clark was selected 13th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft but was traded to the Denver Nuggets...
. He was selected in the 2006 NBA Draft
2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
.
Pro career
Freeland started his career with the English LeagueEnglish Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
side Solent Stars
Solent Stars
The Solent Stars is a basketball team from Southampton, who until 2007 competed in the English Basketball League, Division 1. From 1987-1990 they competed in the British Basketball League, and were one of the founder teams....
, who are based in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
. While he was playing basketball there he also had a job as a shelf stacker in Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
. He then moved to Gran Canaria II, of the Spanish Third Division.
On June 28, 2006, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
in the first round of the 2006 NBA Draft
2006 NBA Draft
The 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,...
with the 30th overall draft pick. However, the Trail Blazers encouraged him to return to European play to further improve his game; in August 2006, he signed a 2-year contract with Gran Canaria
CB Gran Canaria
Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria - Claret, S.A.D. is a professional basketball team that plays in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto. The team is based in the autonomous community's capital and largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It plays at Centro Insular.-History:CB Gran...
of the Spanish ACB League.
CB Canaria II
Freeland averaged 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.8 blocks per game for the 2005-06 season in the Spanish Third Division.CB Canaria
For the 2006-2007 season Freeland moved up to the first team appearing in 15 games and making his debut in the ULEB CupULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
. Freeland would continue to improve during the 2007-2008 season, appearing in 28 games and reaching the quarter finals of the ULEB Cup. The 2008-2009 season would see Freeland become one of Canaria's best players, averaging 10 points and 4.6 rebounds in 17 minutes a game.
Unicaja Malaga
In 2009, Freeland joined the Spanish EuroleagueEuroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
club Unicaja Málaga on a 5 year contract worth €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4.5 million euros net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
. During the 2009-2010 season Freeland made his Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
debut and made 32 ACB appearances. The 2010-2011 season was Freeland's best so far, averaging career highs of 13.3 points and 6 rebounds a game.
International
Freeland has 36 capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Great Britain national basketball team
Great Britain national basketball team
The Great Britain men's national basketball team, known as Great Britain or GB, is the national team for Great Britain in basketball...
.