Joel Freeland to Play in the NBA Next Season

Great Britain will have another player playing in the NBA next season after veteran forward Joel Freeland confirmed that he will be playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in the upcoming NBA season.

Freeland, who was selected as the 30th overall pick during the 2006 NBA Draft, confirmed the report and said that he will be missing the final Great Britain’s test games this weekend due to a scheduled flight to Portland.

The veteran forward said that he will be visiting the Portland Trailblazers camp and will have his physicals before inking his three-year contract with the squad.

Freeland’s European club, Unica Malaga, also confirmed the report and said that they will be talking to Freeland and the Trailblazers to negotiate a buyout of Freeland’s contract with the Spanish club.

British Basketball Performance Director Chris Spice was thrilled with the reports and Freeland was worthy of the success due to his immense contribution to GB Basketball program.

“This is a fantastic news for Joel and in our view is richly deserved,” Spice said. “Joel is a great player who continues to make an outstanding contribution the GB program. We wish him well in this new challenge.”

Freeland will be joining Great Britain Men teammate Luol Deng as well as Ben Gordon and Byron Mullens, who were initially part of the national squad before withdrawing due to contract issues and injury, respectively.