The Freeberg File

Sometimes what you see is not what you get. This certainly applies to relationships, too often regarding purchases and yes, even basketball. 6-foot-3 Connor Freeberg of Albany High is just such an example.

Freeberg has somewhat of an angelic look about him but mistake him for a mark at your own risk. Let's allow one of his Bay Area Hoosiers coaches, Mark Perelman, to take it from here. "As a player, Connor has a really deceptive look about him, sort of quiet and innocent. But then he'll jump and grab a rebound above the rim or block a shot. He is unbelievably bouncy."

The senior-to-be concurs about his athletic prowess. Asked to name his best basketball skills, Freeberg offered, "My jumping ability and quickness."

Here's Albany High Coach Andrew Strawbridge on his protégé: "Connor's biggest strength is his ability to get to the rim. He also goes to the boards really well as he's one of the best offensive rebounders and is very athletic."

As for those at the next level taking notice, Freeberg is generating the most interest from American University, Pennsylvania (in the Ivy League), San Diego and Portland. He's looking to set up some official visits come October and November.

What also may not be evident to the average fan is the dual roles Freeberg plays on the court. "At Albany High, I'm one of the tallest players on the team," he said. So he often finds himself playing inside, definitely on the defensive side. Coach Strawbridge runs a motion offense and that allows Freeberg to get different looks at the basket.

He averaged over 15 points per game this past high school season and garnered second team All-Bay Shore Athletic League honors, moving up from honorable mention the previous season.

"But with the Hoosiers, I'm a guard type," Freeberg continued. Here's Perelman again on his charge: "Connor is used to playing with his back to the basket in high school but has worked hard to convert from a 4 or a 5 to a guard, which is what he is. He spent time bettering his ballhandling and shooting skills and is now an effective perimeter player. He worked his tail off to change his game."

There is also the so-called intangibles Freeberg brings to a team. "Connor is a very mature young man who understands basketball and how a team should function and operate," Strawbridge said, adding "he is always respectful, works hard and follows direction."

Strawbridge sees a developing role for his senior-to-be. "We want Connor to get into more of a leadership role for us."

Freeberg sees a marked difference between high school and club team ball. "It's totally different games. The talent and athleticism you face [in the spring and summer] makes high school ball easier."

However, there was a time when baseball -- not hoops -- was Freeberg's reigning sport. At 12, his little league team was the first in Albany history to win the district championship. Then in his freshman year, he batted over .500 and went the entire season without a single strikeout. "After my freshman year, it [baseball] got too slow for me," Freeberg explained. "Basketball is more my pace."

What makes this all the more interesting is that Freeberg's father was a water polo player on a Northern California championship team that sent two players to the Olympics, covering the trifecta of sports within the family.

Freeberg's best basketball moments number three. "Between my freshman and sophomore years, I had two game-winning shots playing AAU ball," Freeberg said, "and I got a last second tip -in to win a game against Galileo this year."

Academics are also a strong suit. "I was a 3.0 plus student early in high school but lately I've earned a weighted 4.0 grade point average," Freeberg offered. He likes mathematics and is thinking of majoring in engineering come college.

His preference for basketball styles is "free flowing, getting up and down the court." The transition game is the most fun -- "I like to rip a rebound and dribble through traffic before the defense gets back."

Tom Hanks has a new film out titled "Angels and Demons" which is not based on Freeberg as a cherub battling opponents on the court. Yes, he can jump with the best -- just not quite to the heavens.