Harry Froling signs with NBL team Illawarra Hawks after near-fatal one-punch attack

Australia Broadcast Center

4 days ago

Harry Froling says he lived life in the fast lane "the first time around".
It is a telling choice of words.
For the 27-year-old, life is now divided between before and after the night of January 22, 2023, when he suffered a one-punch attack outside a Wollongong nightclub that left him with a major brain injury and little chance to return to professional basketball.
But after more than two years of intense rehabilitation, he has been signed by the Illawarra Hawks as an injury replacement player for his brother Sam.
Froling says he returns to the court a changed man.
"I was always inconsistent and that was also with my off-court stuff — my training habits, what I was eating and how I was looking after myself," he told ABC Illawarra Breakfast.
"I'd have a bunch of 20-point games but then I'd have a bunch of five-point games.
After the attack, doctors told Froling he had a slim chance of returning to work of any kind, let alone professional basketball.
Over the last two years he has not only had to physically rehabilitate himself, but also dig himself out of a deep depression.
Part of Froling's recovery has involved changing his attitude towards life.
"I'm a basketball player, but it's not who I am," he said.
"I used to heavily rely on basketball as my identity, whereas I think now it's more like I don't take basketball for granted.
Froling, who is 210 centimetres tall, will play a crucial role in bolstering the Hawks' front court this season.
His brother Sam has an Achilles injury and Lachlan Olbrich has gone to the NBA.
Froling's return to the court has been measured, quiet and humble.
He first trained with the Hawks towards the end of last season to try to lose weight and regain confidence.
He then played in the New Zealand NBL and the Australian NBL1 competitions, which saw his vast skill set on display again.
"Teams just wanted to see me string together a few months of it and I think I was pretty consistent and was putting up good numbers and getting good feedback from people," Froling said.
"It's easy to say you're going to do something, but this is how I act and how I behave now.
"I'm not going to tell everyone what I'm going do and what I plan on doing.
"I'm just going to go and do it and whatever comes with it comes with it."
Froling says playing for the Hawks allows him to not only compete and train alongside his brother Sam, but also offers an opportunity to give back to the team that welcomed him last season.
He said several of Hawks staff and players had contacted him during his rehabilitation to offer support.
"Obviously what happened with Sam's injury sucks, but now I can step in and help the club that's done so much for me," Froling said.
"It was a cool feeling when I got told [they wanted me] and I pretty much signed as soon as they told me it was all official and the contract was through.