Euroleague giants CSKA Moscow have signed British forward Joel Freeland on a two-year deal, the club announced today.
The one-time Great Britain international, who hasn’t played international basketball since the 2012 London Olympics is understood to have received no firm offers to remain in the NBA since his contract option was declined by the Portland Trail Blazers at the end of June.
Freeland comes to the Russian capital following a three-year stint with the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA where he averaged averaged 3.5 points and four rebounds.
Previous to his Stateside adventure, Surrey-born Freeland played for Unicaja Malaga where he turned into one of the Euroleague’s most efficient power forwards, averaging 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds a game in his three seasons with the Liga Endesa side.
“I am delighted and happy to return to Europe, and with such an incredible team like CSKA Moscow,” Freeland said. “To be part of this great organization is a privilege that I will definitely take on responsibly. I will work hard and help my team achieve their goals. I know what kind of effort CSKA made to get me, and it only adds to the emotion, showing that the club really wanted to have me in the lineup. I am sure that we will have a good season.”
