One-On-One with Kellam's Trey Freeman
Kellam's Trey Freeman is a rising junior point guard with tremendous upside for the Knights. At 6'2" and unparalleled natural abilities, as well as the work ethic to go along with it, Freeman is hoping for big things this upcoming season...
Photo By: 757Gameday Staff
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Imagine combining the explosiveness of a Derrick Rose, leadership of a Chauncey Billups, and offensive prowess of a Kobe Bryant...that would be a pretty impressive collection of skill sets for one player to hold. No, Trey Freeman is not the reincarnation of the above mentioned stars, but one has no trouble recognizing that he is a special player with a huge upside in his own right.
A 6'2" rising junior at Kellam High School with a boat load of potential, Trey brings a unique dynamic to the point guard position for his Kellam Knights by providing the leadership expected from a point guard and the spark needed to take an offense to the next level. Ala Rose, Billups, and Bryant, Trey has the ability to get to the basket, dish the rock, and drain the mid-range jumper.
Like most young athletes today, Trey got his start playing basketball as a child, but it was in 8th grade that he decided to get serious with his favorite sport. It was then that Trey dropped baseball and football to focus on honing his basketball skills, a focus that he still carries with him today.
In fact, while most high schoolers are preparing for a summer of surf and sand, Trey is working on his game 6-7 days/week. You see, Trey has goals and aspirations for the upcoming season, goals that include winning the Beach District and becoming a first team selection to follow-up his honorable mention selection for the 2008-2009 season.
This will not be easy as his Knights have to get past their rivals and defending Beach District Champions, the Landstown Eagles. This is also a big match up for Trey because he gets to go head-to-head with his rival, Landstown senior point guard Julian Norfleet.
Aspirations to be the best in the beach are motivation enough in itself for Trey to keep a basketball on his hip throughout the dog days of summer. However, his motivation does not end there as he is driven by his trainers' Dennis Cushing and Ryan Kurpiel of Team Elite to improve his strength and explosiveness. Team Elite is helping Trey gain the strength, quickness, and explosiveness necessary to be an elite basketball player at the high school level and beyond.
Believe it or not, Trey's inspiration for success does not end with himself, his trainers, or even his coaches. In fact, Trey has a special relationship with his family and they are perhaps the single biggest explanation for Trey's development and success.
From a young age, his parents and two older brothers have taught him lessons in life that make him a better man, not a better basketball player. They put an emphasis and priority on academics and as a result Trey carries an impressive 3.4 GPA, while handling a combination of Honors and AP level classes.
When asked who has had the biggest impact on his development, Trey responded quickly, "without a doubt my older brother Aric Stewart." Aric may be Trey's biggest critic, but along with Trey's other brother Adrian, he is also his biggest supporter. Aric is quick to sit down with Trey after a game and provide the constructive criticism any young player needs to get better. Aric's emphasis usually surrounds the intangibles of a basketball player; leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and work ethic. These lessons that Trey learns from his family will assuredly impact his life on and off the court and create a path for success well beyond his basketball career.
Many young athletes have the ability to dribble a basketball, shoot a jump shot, and drive to the basket, but few have the mental fortitude and drive it takes to be the best. Trey is mature beyond his years as is proven with his selection as captain of his high school basketball team at the age of 16. His teammates and coaches look to their point guard for the leadership needed to lead their team to victory.
The Beach District should expect big things from Trey over the next two years as he develops and realizes his potential. At 16, Trey Freeman realizes a few things that many NBA level players are yet to grasp; team comes before me, winning comes before personal statistics, academics come before basketball, and family comes before all else.
