JOEL’S EGGS IN A NEW BASKET
AMBITIOUS Farnham Town have made their biggest ever signing – 6ft 10in former NBA basketball star Joel Freeland.
Freeland is one of the Surrey town’s most favourite sons having played for the club’s youth team before moving across the pond to become one of Britain’s most successful sporting exports.
Now, after a career that has also seen him become a slam-dunking success in Spain and Russia, the 33-year-old has returned home and has vowed to give something back to the town where his dream begun.
Freeland has been invited back to the Combined Counties League Division One club in an ambassador’s role by the Clarets’ commercial manager, former teammate and school friend Ed Kelsing.
Dream
“I’m delighted to be back at the club,” Freeland told The NLP. “With everything that is happening, it will be a bit of slow burner but I’m looking forward to attending matches and getting to know the people at the club. “The club have a lot of exciting projects in place and if I can help spread the word and reach out into the community in any way then I’ll be delighted to do so.” Freeland’s football career finished at the age of 14 when he broke his leg while turning out for the Clarets in a summer five-a-side tournament.
With his height, he was encouraged by his PE teacher to pursue basketball and within two years was representing England Under 18s and being spotted by a scout from top Spanish club Gran Canaria.
After four years learning his trade – and another three at Liga ACB club Malaga – Freeland was given the chance to fulfil every young basketball player’s dream, to play in the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers.
“It was just an incredible experience,” Freeland explained. “It’s the Premier League of the USA, you’re treated like a king. It’s very rare for an English player to get the chance to play in the NBA and I loved every second of it.
Ambition
“Unfortunately, I picked up a few injuries towards to end of my career there but I wouldn’t change a thing. I retired young but on my terms.
“I played 12 years professionally with the best basketball players in the world so I was very lucky.”
Freeland finished his career back with another European powerhouse CSKA Moscow before returning to his Aldershot home to pursue other avenues.
As well as Farnham Town, Freeland is also working with Guildford-based BBL side Surrey Scorchers and is enjoying using his experience to help youngsters – both on the basketball court and football field – to fulfil their true potential.
“We are very lucky to have him on board,” Kelsing added. “We are very forward thinking here so to have someone of Joel’s calibre helping to oversee our ambition and explain our vision to the community is a huge boost to us.”