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25 September 2025  4 min read

'I want silverware' - Freeman looking to build with ARU

The GB 3x3 standout has had a busy summer in the short format of the game, but with the WNBL Division One season set to get underway this weekend, her attention is firmly focussed on ARU once again.

"I’m really looking forward to this season with ARU, coming back for a second consecutive year and building with the core group we had always helps in pre-season," said Freeman.

"In terms of our goals, I definitely want us to win a piece of silverware this year and to be competing in Finals.

"Making an improvement from where we were last year is really important and I think we have the perfect team to do that."

Ruskin were a formidable outfit in 2024/25, finishing fourth with a 13-9 record, but six of the side's defeats came against the top three teams in the division, Ipswich, Brent Bulls and CoLA Southwark Pride.

That provides a clear obstacle impeding Ruskin from moving to the next level and challenging for a first D1W title since 2018/19.

"Obviously we've signed some new players this year and got a new head coach so I’m looking forward to what all these new pieces can do," Freeman explained.

"Looking at how our pre-season has gone, I feel really positive about the potential we have to get some wins against the top teams this time around.

"We’ve already made a lot of changes on the way we play and I’m really excited to show that on the court."

Freeman in GB action (FIBA)

3x3 complimenting the 5v5 game

Freeman hasn't rested on her positive D1W campaign, with 19.4PPG in her debut season, good for fourth best across the league.

A trip with GB to Slovakia for FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup Qualifiers in June resulted in a second-place finish, confirming qualification, alongside fellow another D1W standout in Bristol's Marlee Ball.

August contained Ball Out qualifiers in Essex, plus a seventh-place finish in the National Finals, in a quartet containing ARU team-mate Vicky Gray.

"My goal is to go into this season with same mentality as last year, that is to come into every game with the goal of winning and to stay competitive for the full 40 minutes," she added.

"Playing for GB 3x3 was an amazing experience this summer and really just developed my skills individually and playing a pick and roll as effectively as possible.

"Getting to practice and play with such high-level players really pushes you and it has allowed me to be in great shape coming into the season."

A sharp-looking Freeman already feeling in mid-season form is sure to pose a problem for this weekend's opening opponents, London All Stars, who will be taking their first bow in the top flight following promotion a year ago.

Regardless of who they're lining up against, Freeman and Co know they want to start to season the right way, setting their stall for what is still to come.

"I’m really looking forward to our first game. Playing a somewhat unknown team who has just been promoted means we must be ready from the tip," Freeman warned.

"We’ll have to play hard and hopefully make a statement to the league, picking up a strong first win to set a precedent that we will want to continue for the whole season."

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