Twenty-four year-old and 6-foot-6 Southern Utah born Gabriel Freeman will join the Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles in 2010/11 after playing for two seasons in the premier Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) league for San Miguel Beermen.

San Miguel are currently playing in the PBA play offs and when Freeman plays at The Swamp this season he’ll be the Crocodiles’ three man and his athleticism will complement the roster which has in it Russell Hinder, Peter Crawford, Luke Schenscher, Brad Williamson, Nathan Crosswell, Michael Cedar, Ben Allen and Todd Blanchfield, and a vacancy for a second import.
Freeman is a monster on the boards averaging 15.83 rebounds and dishing 1.32 assists, 1.34 steals at San Miguel and can light up a scoreboard as well with 22.07 points and a shooting arsenal of 52.8 per cent from the field and 73.4 per cent from the charity stripe.

Freeman recently attracted unfavorable off-court attention in the Philippines when he tested positive to a banned substance in a sport drug test, however his club the San Miguel Beermen have told the Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles the test results showed an irregularity and two other subsequent samples have confirmed he is not guilty of taking any banned substances.

The false allegations have been hurtful and upsetting for Gabe and his family but he has vowed to move forward and reassures Crocodiles fans he is committed to coming here and has his focus on helping the team win a maiden championship.

Freeman was a star player for the Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California a member of the Orange Empire Conference (OEC), an intercollegiate athletic conference for nine community colleges in Orange County California. He also played for the Albany Patroons in the now defunct Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

The Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles Chief Executive Officer says although Freeman does not have an extensive college career he is a fine professional league player great in defense who runs the floor well and will live up to Trevor Gleeson’s hard work expectations.

“We see Gabe as a versatile 3-man who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint and he’ll complement the existing roster. As well as that he’s a hard worker and a great defensive player whose athleticism you can look forward to seeing this upcoming season on the One HD highlights reel,” Mr Smythe said. 

Freeman has had a great couple of seasons for San Miguel Beermen winning Best Import trophy and on the verge of doing that again for a consecutive season. He is currently the PBA’s leading rebounds per game specialist as well as featuring in the top ten point scoring list for the current season.

Check out a YouTube clip of Gabe 'G-Force' Freeman HERE 

Gabriel Freeman PBA statistics

Gabriel Freeman profile

DOB:    November 5 1985 (24), Southern Utah, UT

Height: 6’6        Weight: 205lbs

Position: Power Forward

College: Orange Coast, Costa Mesa, CA (OEC)

Married, one daughter