When I was growing up as a basketball player in Section II, there were plenty of players who I knew about and looked up to. I wanted to see Tiki Mayben play, I wanted to see Brian Ledbetter of Schenectady play too.

But one of the first players that I grew up to root for was Schenectady native Rashaun Freeman. I knew about Freeman because he was a star at UMass. In fact, he was a four-time first-team selection in the Atlantic 10.

Furthermore, Freeman went onto star professionally, where he has played nine seasons overseas in places like France, China, Belgium, Israel, Russia, Puerto Rico, Germany and Argentina. He's also played in Uruguay where he captured the 2016 championship and won Finals MVP.

Freeman is back in the Capital Region for now and he joined me in studio today to talk about his basketball life but also about his newest ventures in life: Helping get his message of overcoming obstacles out to the youth of the area.

LISTEN HERE as Freeman talks about his life, Section II, and his cause that's bigger than basketball.

More From 104.5 THE TEAM