Gabe Freeman

Gabriel DeAndre "Gabe" Freeman (born November 5, 1985)^[1] is an American professional basketball player. He previously played professional basketball for the Albany Patroons in the Continental Basketball Association and after winning the Best Import of the 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference and steering the Beermen to its unprecedented 18th title. Soon afterwards, he played with the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry which went to the Premier Basketball League championship before joining the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League.

Early life and college

Born in Phoenix, Freeman graduated from McClintock High School of Tempe, Arizona in 2004.^[1][2] He attended Southern Utah University but never played a game for the Thunderbirds basketball team. At Mesa Community College, Freeman was a first-team All-ACCAC selection in the 2006–07 season and averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds.^[3][4]

Professional career

Freeman signed with Correcaminos UAT Reynosa of the Mexican LNBP in 2007 and averaged 22.6 points and 8.1 rebounds in ten games.^[4]

For part of the 2008–09 season, Freeman played for the Albany Patroons in the CBA. Albany made the CBA Finals but lost to the Lawson-Fort Sill Cavalry.^[5] In 15 games with the Patroons, he averaged 14.3 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game.^[6] He wore jersey #34.^[7]

He was chosen by the San Miguel Beermen as an import in the middle of the 2008–09 season. He played 24 games and averaged 22.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.^[8] Freeman was awarded the Best Import of the conference.^[9] In the following season, Freeman played 29 games for San Miguel and averaged 21.6 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.^[8]

The Philippine Patriots of the ASEAN Basketball League signed Freeman to replace Brandon Powell in January 2010.^[10][11]

He did not fail his team and with a hard-fought battle between Ginebra and their fans, he led the San Miguel franchise to its 18th Championship, which was also his career first. PBA fans credited his heart and hardwork as a big factor in their victory.^[12]

On July 12, 2010, Freeman signed with the Townsville Crocodiles of the NBL of Australia.^[13]

Freeman re-signed with the Philippine Patriots in December 2010.^[14] In the first game of the ASEAN semifinals on January 22, 2011, Freeman scored 36 points and made 11 rebounds and 5 assists in an 88-83 victory over the KL Dragons.^[15]

On October 21, 2011, it was announced that Freeman had made the final 12-man roster for the National Basketball League of Canada's London Lightning.^[16] He wore jersey number 25.^[1] Finding immediate success with the Lightning, Freeman was named the first ever NBL Canada Player of the Week for the week ending November 6,^[17] an award he would win again for the weeks ending January 1 and March 4, 2012.^[18] The Lightning would go on to finish the regular season at 28-8 and gain home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

On March 14, 2012, Freeman was named the NBL Canada's inaugural Rogers Communications Most Valuable Player. More importantly, however, on March 25 he led the Lightning to a 116-92 victory over the Halifax Rainmen in a deciding Game Five of the NBL Canada Finals to win the NBL Canada's inaugural championship. In addition to his regular-season MVP award, Freeman was named the Finals' MVP as well.^[19]

Freeman signed with the PBA team Barako Bull Energy on April 2, 2012.^[20] In 7 games, Freeman averaged 21.7 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.71 assists, and 1.0 steal.^[8]

Freeman returned to the Philippine Patriots on September 18, 2012.^[21] In January 2013, Freeman again signed with the San Miguel Beermen.^[22] On February 26, 2013, the ASEAN league suspended Freeman for a game and issued him a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct.^[23][24] Freeman later suffered an injury and was replaced by Justin Williams.^[25][26]

PBA Statistics

References