The St. John’s Edge released one of their heralded off-season signings Friday, just two days before the opening of their 2018-19 National Basketball League of Canada season.
Coach Doug Plumb confirmed Saturday morning that Gabe Freeman, a former NBL regular season and playoff MVP, was given his walking papers a day before the team was set to depart for Ontario and Sunday’s opener in London.
“No issue, just not a fit for both parties,” Plumb said in a text. “I told him I’m not going to do what the majority of people do and hold him hostage. He has a family to feed, so I released him outright.”
Freeman, a 6-6 forward, is the league’s all-time leading rebounder. The 32-year-old veteran was the Saint John Riptide’s leading scorer last season when he left New Brunswick midway through the year for Baghdad and a team in Iraq's top professional league.
Meantime, it looks as if Plumb will be behind the bench Sunday and Wednesday in Windsor, Ont.
Plumb had been suspended for two games for tampering violations, but the Edge are appealing the decision. So far, that appeal has not been heard.
