Every summer, basketball's merry band of globetrotters fidget impatiently by the phone and await instructions for their next destination.

It is a buyer's market. Supply, especially of American talent, far outstrips demand.

At one end are those who will never be without work and can take their pick from the relative riches on offer in China and Spain. At the other, however, nestle those who are simply grateful for one further contract and the opportunity to postpone the search for a career off the court.

At the Emirates Arena tomorrow, as Glasgow Rocks embark on a new season in the British Basketball League, Tommy Freeman will run on to the floor with a renewed energy and a refreshed sense of purpose. Twelve months ago, the American was drawing his salary from overseeing the girls' team at Alexander High School in Albany, Ohio, a village of just 828 souls.

It was the only option available. Despite an impressive professional debut at Worcester Wolves, and an untroubled stint in Switzerland, he found himself on the outside of the circuit looking in, uncertain whether he had been retired against his will.

"It was hard," the 25-year-old reveals. "I'd be phoning my agent every week, but he'd just keep telling me to wait and see. I enjoyed coaching. It helped me see things from the other side, the Xs and Os. It opens your mind to different styles of play and the technical aspect. I'm thankful I had that experience, but it also made me realise I want to keep playing for a while first."

When Rocks player-coach Sterling Davis made him an offer to end his hiatus, Freeman simply could not refuse. The shooting guard is one of seven new recruits that will line up for the opener against BBL newcomers Bristol Flyers, the consequence of an extreme makeover deemed necessary in the wake of last season's chronic under-achievement.

Another year, a new city. Freeman has taken the relocation in his stride. At the outset, when he traded Ohio University for Worcester, it was a culture shock. Homesickness was just one symptom. "Holidays are the hardest part," he confirms. "Thanksgiving and Christmas, especially, when you're used to those big family meals, watching American football, sitting in front of the TV all day. Those days are hard."

It is a sacrifice deemed necessary to keep chasing the dream. And the Glaswegian dialect, at least, has proven more hospitable than his initiation to the Swiss League. "My coach had no more than three words of English. I had no Italian. Luckily, we'd one assistant who was able to translate, but that was a learning process, to learn enough to pick out a couple of words in each sentence and be able to follow things."

Growing up, Freeman was every bit the archetype of the characters in the seminal sports film Hoosiers, with Dennis Hopper playing the alcoholic foil to a broken Gene Hackman as both labour to restore the fortunes of a school team in rural Indiana in tandem with the town's pride.

"That's just like my hometown," Freeman declares. "We had the backboard on the side of the barn. I'd go out in the driveway and take shots every night or go to the YMCA after practice to play."

Basketball, especially at high schools, is the state's unofficial religion. "Four of the top 10 high school gyms in the world belonged to teams in our conference, including Newcastle, which is the biggest. You walk in and there's standing room only with 10,000 people in watching a school game. You can't find that anywhere else." Glasgow can only dream of such backing, despite crowds averaging around 3000 since they decamped for the Emirates Arena.

Freeman aside, the Rocks have scouted the States to bring in JaJuan Smith, a journeyman who had a cup of coffee with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks before embarking on a world tour, along with rookie centre Paul Egwuonwu. The addition of Great Britain forward Ali Fraser and England internationalist Tayo Ogedengbe, along with Scotland cap Danny Huffor, provides a strong domestic corps. While Davis, in a reduced role, will hope for the freedom to concentrate on energising his squad from the sidelines.

With one year left on his contract, the long-serving play-caller dare not preside over failure again. Newcastle Eagles will set the benchmark as they attempt to defend their title. Cheshire Phoenix, with several audacious signing coups, have been the source of greatest intrigue. While Sheffield and Leicester rarely languish out of the frame.

The Rocks will challenge, Freeman pledges. "It takes toughness and togetherness," he proclaims. "You can't just rely on your Americans in this league. You need a good group of British players and we have that, luckily. We have speed and size. If we put it all together, I'm sure we're going to surprise people."