Eurobasket 2011: London and/or Joel Freeland prepares

How does BallinEurope contributor Sam Chadwick’s basketball career fit it with that of Joel Freeland, Portland Blazers draft pick in 2006 and current Team Britain/Unicaja Malaga player? Read on to find out, together with an assessment of Freeland’s recent performance in the London Invitational Tournament. (And requisite YouTube clip!) In the summer of 2007, I had just finished my under-15 season and I had a hard task ahead: After playing as a forward my whole three-year career, being just 5’8”, I had to learn how to play the point; I had to work on my ball-handling and passing ability to be able to get any playing time the next season. I spoke to the legendary Solent coach Jimmy Guymon to ask if I could have some private sessions on Friday nights with some of the other under-18s looking to head to the United States and the under-16s looking to improve for their under-18 and final years. I remember the first session well: It was held at Woodlands School on the other side of Southamp...