Clif Wegner felt pestered throughout much of the basketball season.

He blames Brian Freeman.

Wegner is the Clackamas Community College basketball coach and Freeman is the man who led the Cougars to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges basketball title and a 22-4 record.

“I’ve gotten sick of all the D1 coaches showing up in the gym this year,” he laughed. “Brian is the reason for that.”

Freeman, a former West Albany athlete, has caused more than a few major college recruiters to schedule a trip to Oregon City.

Hovering around 6-10 with a stack of statistics that measure almost as high, Freeman culminated his CCC career with a monumental performance at the NWAACC tournament.

“It was an amazing season,” he admitted after being named the tourney MVP following a four-game tour-de-force that included 93 points and 62 rebounds.

“He’s the best post kid in the NWAACC in the last 10 years,” bragged Wegner.

It would be hard to dispute that claim.

Freeman led the Cougars in scoring at 17.8 points a game and was the league leader in rebounds at 13.9.

“Once we started clicking it was a lot of fun,” understated Freeman.

Freeman’s imposing frame sometimes masks a versatile athlete. Wegner pointed out that the Cougar post is adept at both ends of the floor, is a strong passer and is totally unselfish.

“He does a lot of things. No one can guard him one-on-one and he moves very well. He’s unselfish to a fault,” praised Wegner.

Things weren’t always as smooth on the court for Freeman. His emergence has come through hard work.

“I’ve made a lot of jumps from high school,” he admitted. “I’m so much better now. I owe that to our coaches.”

Wegner and particularly assistant Jim Worden put in plenty of time to develop Freeman’s potential. And Freeman did his part, working on his strength and viewing films.

“I’ve put on about 45 pounds,” says Freeman, “And I can’t say enough about the coaches. They have a great knowledge of the game.”

The coaching staff is what brought Freeman to CCC in the first place.

Wegner coached the lanky high schooler on a traveling team and Freeman was instantly impressed.

“He’s the reason I’m here,” said Freeman of his coach. “He knows the game so well and I loved the way he coached.”

Wegner has been loving the way Freeman, a two-time NWAACC all-star, plays.

“He’s a tireless worker. He’s improved every part of his game. To say we are going to miss him is a huge understatement,” noted Wegner. “He’s sort of like my own kid n a part of my family.”

But Freeman’s career will continue, just at another level. Those visiting coaches have provided him with a long list of potential places to play.

“I’ll probably start eliminating schools soon and get it down to four visits,” says Freeman, who has interested parties ranging from Wyoming to San Diego. Add Montana, Montana State, Hawaii and the University of Portland and that’s just a partial list.

“He could play in the Pac-10 easily,” stressed his coach. “I think he’ll end in the WCC or the WAC but he can play anywhere.”

Freeman is equally confident.

“I’ll play somewhere and I’d like a shot at the pros,” he says.

That could mean the NBA or possibly Europe, a stop he thinks likely. In fact he plans to go to Holland and collect a dual citizenship while playing for a Dutch professional team. His mother is Dutch and it’s something he has thought about for some time.

“It would be a great experience and offer me a chance to keep playing.”

Ultimately, Freeman is thinking about starting an athletic club, building it from the ground up. He has worked at the Albany Athletic Club for some time and enjoys the atmosphere.

For now he’ll be busy checking out just where his next basketball stop will be and basking in his Cougar team’s success.

“It’s been a great experience,” related Freeman. “I couldn’t have made a better choice.”

And although, Wegner may enjoy a pester-free season with Freeman gone, he expects he’ll be able to follow the post man’s progress.

“I know he’ll make us proud,” praised the coach. “He’s gonna do big things.”