Ansett DBA guard Freddy Webb says playing in the NBL and for the Australian Boomers are goals

EARLY this year, star Ansett guard Freddy Webb committed to aiming for a spot on an NBL roster.And he is certainly training with that level of confidence, attempting a staggering number of shots every day.

Ansett star guard Freddy Webb will play at NBL1 level next year, and that’s likely to be for a leading club in Queensland. Picture: Che Chorley

EARLY this year, star Ansett guard Freddy Webb committed to aiming for a spot on an NBL roster.

He had just overcome hip surgery and was back on the DBA courts training the house down once again, with the 21-year-old renowned for his tireless work ethic.

That was when it dawned on him that he had the potential to go to the elite level if he kept working hard.

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“It was after I had hip surgery when I decided that was going to be my goal,” Webb – who finished eighth on the 2020 Men’s Championship pointscorers list (400) and fifth in three-point percentages (36) – told the NT News.

“I started moving well for the first time in a long time, and I started shooting the ball well again.

“So I put sticky notes on my door that the NBL would be my goal.

“I also wanted to get the DBA MVP this year.

“I missed out, but I ended up in the top three, so I was OK with that.

“I’m aiming to play NBL1 next year, and if I can do well at that level I’ll believe playing in the NBL can happen.”

Ansett star Freddy Webb had an outstanding 2020 DBA Championship season, finishing with a total of 400 points. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Webb is certainly training with that level of confidence, attempting a staggering number of shots every day.

“I’ll shoot between 300 and 500 shots a day, five days a week,” he said.

“Not all of them will be three-pointers – 150 to 200 will be, and then I’ll shoot a bunch of other shots.

“Without a doubt it’s a lot of repetition so it doesn’t feel unfamiliar in a game.”

Webb has fielded a stack of interest from NBL1 clubs in Queensland and South Australia.

He will likely play for a top team in the Sunshine State next year.

If he continues on his hopeful trajectory, he might not return to play for his junior club Ansett, where he has become a star playmaker.

“It’s very exciting – at the start of this season I set myself some goals, and playing in the NBL was one of them,” he said.

“It would also be a dream come true to represent Australia.

“It was frustrating for Ansett to bow out in the semi-finals this year with the team we had, but hopefully everyone can learn from it and be better next year.”

Ansett’s Freddy Webb thought about what he could achieve early this year, and he believes he is capable of playing in the NBL. Picture: Che Chorley

One thing Webb has learned – from starring in Darwin and from when he was a standout at Central Maine Community College Mustangs in the US in 2017-18 – is that first impressions count.

And Webb – who studied exercise science and was awarded the Mustangs’ most improved player in his season in the US – will look to do that at NBL1 level next year.

“It’s important when you go to a new team not just to be known as a team player, so you need to find a balance and also play your own game,” he said.