Latest news with #SamFroling
ABC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Harry Froling signs with NBL team Illawarra Hawks after near-fatal one-punch attack
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.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'So special': NBL star back after one-punch attack
Harry Froling will make an inspirational NBL comeback with Illawarra less than three years after a one-punch attack left him fighting for life in hospital. The former NBL rookie of the year has signed with the defending champions for the new season which begins in September. Froling returned to the basketball court in the second-tier NBL1 and the NZNBL this year but an NBL return is a much more significant leap. The 27-year-old centre will serve as an injury replacement for his brother Sam, who suffered an achilles injury during game four of the championship series in March. "It means a lot to be back with the Hawks," said Harry Froling, who played for Illawarra in the 2021/22 season. "I'm a different player to what I was in 2022 and I look forward to giving back to the club who has done so much for me over the past few years." 👋 Ello Harry!The Hawks are excited to announce the signing of Harry Froling! 🦅 READ MORE: #WeRiseTogether — Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) July 9, 2025 Froling's last NBL game was for the Brisbane Bullets on January 21, 2023 against the Hawks. On a night out after the game, he was knocked to the ground unconscious on the streets of Wollongong in a one-punch attack that required brain surgery. His attacker was jailed and is eligible for parole in December. On his long road to recovery, Froling joined the Hawks for some informal training sessions ahead of their historic championship series win over Melbourne United. "Super happy to get Harry back at the 'Gong," brother Sam said. "It's been such a hard road for him and to see him rewarded with an opportunity to get back in the NBL is so special, and to have it be the team that has given me my opportunity speaks to the quality of this club and their investment in people." Illawarra's game-five triumph over United sealed only the second title in the history of the league's last remaining foundation club, and first since 2001. The Hawks have retained the majority of their roster but have farewelled NBA draftee Lachlan Olbrich and imports Trey Kell and Darius Days. Elsewhere, South East Melbourne have signed Belgian forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh as their first import for the upcoming campaign. Bleijenbergh most recently played for Turkish side Yukatel Merkezefendi and has played for the Chicago Bulls' G-League affiliate Windy City. He replaces would-be American import Omari Moore, who has been released by a mutual agreement so he could sign with EuroLeague side Valencia.
