GBR – Young Freeland taking off

MALAGA (Olympics) - This is stating the obvious, but it's worth repeating when considering how quickly Great Britain's Joel Freeland is developing into one of the best players in Europe.

The 2.08m power forward oozes with talent, and potential.

So much, in fact, that the sky is the limit for a 24-year-old who will compete for his country at next year's Olympics in London.

After playing in Lithuania at his second EuroBasket for the Brits, Freeland has returned to Spain's Unicaja Malaga and at the first opportunity, scooped the Player of the Month award.

With a valuation of 26.3 through the first four games of the 2011-12 campaign, Freeland is now officially Malaga's main man.

He is averaging 17.5 points and nine rebounds per game in the Liga Endesa.

"For me, it's an honour," Freeland said.

"In this league, there are great players that are among the best in the world and it's a matter of pride to be the best of the month.

"I have worked very hard in order to be at this moment.

"I worked very hard this summer to improve my game and now I'm enjoying the games and I have a lot of confidence."

The aim for Freeland, the 30th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers, is to keep getting better.

"I think I have plenty of room to grow and still be better," he said, "so I'll try to work more with my team, to improve myself and my team, too."

FIBA