Newest Titan brings ‘a good mixture’ of game
Friesen has plenty of experience — and championship titles
WATERLOO — For the benefit of those who aren’t familiar with Joel Friesen, we’ll let the newest member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans introduce himself.
“I would say I’m a two-way combo guard. I can play a little bit of point; I can shoot the ball; I like to defend. I bring energy to the team whenever I can, whether I’m on the court or I’m off the court,” the Abbotsford, B.C., native said Thursday, prior to a team workout at RIM Park.
“I think I’m an exciting player to watch and I think I can fire the fans up ... a good mixture of experience, talent and energy.”
The six-foot-four Friesen will be in the lineup Sunday when the Titans (2-3) continue their National Basketball League of Canada schedule at Budweiser Gardens against his former team, the London Lightning (3-2). Friesen helped the Lightning win backto-back championships in 2017 and ’18 but was granted his release before the start of the regular season.
Several teams had made inquiries about Friesen’s availability, he said, but Kitchener has been his preferred destination from the start.
The connection goes back to the summer, when Titans head coach Cavell Johnson made a pitch for Friesen, then a restricted free agent, that was matched by the Lightning.
A salary-cap issue led to his release, said Friesen, and he’s been in contact with the Titans and other teams since. He has followed the Titans with great interest during the early part of the schedule, watching the games on YouTube, and likes what he sees.
“They’ve got a great group; they work hard. We’ve got a good, young coach in Cavell and I think we’ve got a lot of potential to do good things this year,” said Friesen.
Friesen’s path to Waterloo Region started in British Columbia, where the high school standout went on to play three seasons of U Sports basketball for the Fraser Valley Cascades and two more for the Edmonton Golden Bears.
He was initially signed by the Niagara River Lions in 2015 before moving to the Halifax Hurricanes, where he won his first of three consecutive NBL Canada championships.
Friesen’s strong play led to tryout opportunities with Canada’s national team. He was named as alternate to the squad in 2017 and made a brief appearance for the team two months ago when Canada beat Chile in a FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier.
That experience, he said, can only make him a better player moving forward.
“Any time you’re around new guys, new coaches, new situations, it definitely adds to your experience,” he said.
“Being in Chile was a great experience, a lot of travelling for one game and just the fact we got the win was good. I’m 1-0 with the national team now, so I’m excited.”
Friesen was greeted with plenty of familiar faces when he touched down in Waterloo Region this week.
He played with Ashton Smith in London last season and knew Denzel James from his time in Edmonton. He played alongside Tramar Sutherland at his first professional training camp in Niagara Falls and has gone up against many of his new teammates, including Johnson, over the past three seasons. He is one of six Canadians on the 12-man roster.
Johnson said Friesen’s track record of championship success, combined with his ability to shoot, pass and defend, made the signing a no-brainer.
The Titans released John Murry to make room their newest player.
The Titans’ trip to London wraps up a four-game road trip that started with a three-game swing through Atlantic Canada.
The Titans lost by two points in Cape Breton, won by 23 in Saint John and lost by 12 in Halifax.
The early results, which include two losses by a combined five points, haven’t been indicative of his team’s effort.
“I’m really pleased with the fight that I have in the group. Obviously, I’d rather be 5-0, or even 4-1 after that rough game in Halifax, but these guys play with so much confidence,” said Johnson.
“It’s just a matter of time before we start stringing the wins together and that starts Sunday.”
The Titans’ next home game is Thursday (7 p.m., the Aud) against the Sudbury Five.