BBL Class of: 2011-12 – Tommy Freeman (SAM Massagno)

Tommy Freeman joined the 2011/12 Worcester Wolves as the Ohio Bobcats all time record three point shooter. Freeman drained a shot from 20 feet on 259 occasions during his college days with a single season best of 99 in his graduation year. Only one other Bobcat in history has racked up more threes in one season.

As a Bobcat he went to the big dance and talked to us about his memories of his time in the NCAA (which you can read here) during March Madness this year.

At Worcester, he averaged over 19 points per game and made over 87% of his shots from the free throw line. Anyone who regularly watched Freeman in a Wolves uniform will also remember him as a player who was adept at drawing charging fouls from the opposition, and he often picked himself up off the hardwood as a result. He will also be remembered by Wolves’ fans as a player who left everything he had out there on the court at the end of the forty. The number forty will invoke other memories for Worcester followers as one of the former Bobcats’ season highs was a forty point performance against the Plymouth Raiders.

In the off season, Freeman joined Swiss side SAM Massagno who play in the top flight of the Swiss National League. To kick-off our Class of 2011/12 feature, we caught up with Tommy as he begins the next chapter of his basketball journey.

1. What did you learn about your game during your year in the BBL?

I learned that I not only could shoot the ball from the 3 point line but I could get to the hoop. In college I was a catch and shoot player. Last year Coach James allowed me the freedom to make plays off the dribble. It was something that I thought I could do but had not proven it to myself to that point. Not only was I able to put the ball in around the basket but also was able to draw lots of fouls which put teams in tough situations.

2. How do you reflect on the season – do you think the Wolves roster overachieved or underachieved?

I think for being as young as we were with an entirely new roster we overachieved for the season. We came in and did not know we were supposed to lose, or at least that’s what people around the league thought we were supposed to do. We went out and played hard every game and we faltered a few times during the season but for the most part it was a success. In the playoffs however, I feel we underachieved. After having such a great campaign we ran into a hot Cheshire team that was clicking on all cylinders.

3. It’s early days, but apart from everyone speaking Italian, what are the obvious differences in playing for a Swiss National League team?

I thought for the most part we were one of the faster playing teams in the BBL, my current team takes running to an entirely different level. The first two days here we ran a total of 10 miles and our offense is designed to speed the game up. I think that the professionalism has also been stepped up a notch from the BBL which I struggled with the first few weeks but am adjusting well to now.

4. Have you set yourself any personal targets for the season, and if so, are there any you can share with us?

Going into this season I am focused of having more assists than turnover, shooting over 40% from 3 point, shooting over 50% from 2 point, and shooting over 90% from the free throw line. SAM Massagno, my current team, was 3-21 last year. My goal is to help my team make it to the playoffs and advance at least one round.

5. What does the BBL need to do to be able to retain the services of the best young imports for more than one season?

The BBL must continue in the direction which they are headed. The improvements in facilities is a step in the right direction and this must occur around the league. The BBL must also find a way to enhance its reputation around Europe so players will want to stay there for multiple years instead of seeking other opportunities in order to play at higher levels in more respected leagues. It also is a business so teams must be able to show players that they want them to stay whether that is by increasing their salary or providing them with better accommodation, taking care of meals, or any other number of things that will make coming back to the UK a priority.

6. Does your new roster share similar ambitions to that you started last season at Worcester with or are expectations different at SAM Massagno?

SAM Massagno finished 2nd to last during the previous season. Our number one team goal is to make the playoffs. We believe that we can do much more than this. We are the youngest team in the league but we feel that we can use this to our advantage by using our athleticism and making teams run the floor. I hope that we can be as successful as we were last season. Time will tell and all we can do as players is come to practice everyday to get better and during games leave it all on the court.

If you want to continue to follow Tommy Freeman throughout the season in Switzerland, you can read his Bobcat Abroad blog here.