Joel Freeland Withdraws from Great Britain National Team

Joel Freeland, fresh off a disappointing rookie campaign in Portland, has decided not to join the Great Britain squad this Summer in order to prepare for his second NBA season according to the London Evening Standard. The British team will also be missing Luol Deng, who is recovering from injury.

Freeland said: "It is a tough decision for me because I have been with GB for everything up to this moment.

"I remain fully committed and very motivated to continue to be a part of the national team and continue to help build the programme in an effort to take it as far as we possibly can."

Freeland recently finished a week playing for the Blazers' Vegas Summer League team, where he averaged 5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1 block in 18 minutes per game. Prior to that, he spent most of June in practicing with Will Barton, Meyers Leonard, and Victor Claver.

-- Tim