Freeland Battling to Get Back To Form

By Sam Neter on April 13, 2012

Great Britain star Joel Freeland has admitted he has not been at his best over the past couple of months with club side Unicaja Malaga and there are “no excuses” as the ACB post-season and GB’s Olympic campaign are fast approaching.

Talking to Malaga-based newspaper Diario Sur on what has happened since his spectacular start to the season where he was named ACB Player of the Month in October, he said:

“I think it’s a little bit of everything. These two months have been tough for me physically, I’ve had two injuries in the ankle, sore back, and flu … There are many things. It is an accumulation of everything. I’m not at my best yet and the team is down and it seems that everything is more difficult than it is. But no excuses, I have to get my level and work hard every day to do so.”

Freeland is averaging 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds on the season, but over the last 7 games has seen his scoring average drop to 7.8 points (stats breakdown). Malaga are currently 14-14 in ninth place, just one spot out of making the playoffs.

With Freeland battling injuries and Luol Deng dealing with torn ligaments in his left wrist, not to mention being played pretty much 40 minutes a night for title contenders the Chicago Bulls, it no doubt has given GB fans cause for concern.

Read the full interview over at Diario Sur (you’re going to need Google Translate) where Freeland also addresses making the jump to the NBA next year (“If I was given a good option, I would definitely stay in Malaga”) and also taking on the role of being the team’s star player.

Via FIBA.

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