NICKNAME/S: Frols

BIO: Harry Froling was born in Townsville (QLD) to Shane and Jenny Froling and began playing basketball as a junior with the Townsville basketball program. Froling received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2014. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2014, 2015).

FAMILY: Harry Froling is the son of Shane Froling who played 271 games in the NBL. Harry’s brother, Sam Froling also played 191 games in the NBL. Harry’s mother Jenny was a four-time champion in the WNBL. His sisters, Alicia and Keely, have also played together in the WNBL.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Harry Froling made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Entering the 2015/16 NBL season, the Townsville Crocodiles faced immense uncertainty due to front office changes and financial limitations. These issues made recruiting players challenging, with key talent such as Todd Blanchfield, the reigning NBL Most Improved Player, leaving for Melbourne United. Head coach Shawn Dennis worked to fill the roster by signing affordable players, focusing on young talent and veterans who had been overlooked by other teams. Notable additions included Luke Schenscher (via Adelaide), Corey Maynard, and Mitchell Young (both via Cairns), while NBL MVP Brian Conklin returned as captain, joined by incoming import Jordair Jett.

The season started with two losses to Melbourne United (84-99) and New Zealand (81-89), but Townsville bounced back with back-to-back wins over Sydney (80-77) and Perth (66-63) on the road, despite winning only three away games the previous season. However, the Crocodiles’ form dipped, and by the end of October, they had the worst record in the league (2-9), including a 31-point loss to Melbourne. Matters worsened when Conklin was involved in a controversial incident, where his elbow broke Perth Wildcats guard Damian Martin’s jaw during a win over the Wildcats (89-77). Despite calls for a lengthy suspension, the NBL cleared Conklin of any wrongdoing. However, two weeks later, Conklin was suspended after another elbow incident involving Mitch Creek in a heavy loss to Adelaide (65-89).

By November, Townsville sat at the bottom of the ladder (4-10), leading the team to part ways with Conklin due to what the club described as “sub-par performances.” Conklin, who averaged 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, later shared on social media that financial constraints were the real reason behind his release. His replacement, Omar Samhan (13 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks), joined the team a week later.

Schenscher struggled with injuries (averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds), and Townsville brought in Harry Froling (1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds) as an injury replacement. Jett (15.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals) found his stride in the second half of the season, while Mirko Djeric (5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) delivered his best season. Townsville showed grit, winning half of their remaining games (7-7), including a memorable victory over Adelaide in one of the most thrilling finishes in team history.

Despite finishing with an 8-6 home record, the Crocodiles managed only three road wins and ended second last on the ladder (11-17). Jett earned the Kevin Sugars Medal (club MVP), while head coach Shawn Dennis was named NBL Coach of the Year. Nicholas Kay (10.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) won Rookie of the Year, and Clint Steindl (12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) was awarded Most Improved Player.

Townsville’s future in the NBL remained uncertain despite league assurances, and ultimately, financial struggles led to their exit from the competition. Kay and Mitchell Norton signed with Illawarra, Young joined Brisbane, and Steindl and Djeric pursued opportunities overseas. Schenscher retired, and coach Dennis transitioned to coaching in Japan’s national league.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2018/19
After narrowly missing out on the NBL championship the previous season, Adelaide entered a rebuilding phase with the departure of key players, most notably Mitch Creek, their second-leading scorer. Creek left to pursue his NBA dream after protracted negotiations between Adelaide and Basketball Australia.

During the 2018 off-season, Creek was granted approval to play in Germany, with the understanding that he would return to the 36ers for the 2018/19 season. However, his strong performances in Germany caught the attention of the Brooklyn Nets, who signed him to their G-League team. Adelaide then filed an injunction to prevent Basketball Australia from approving Creek’s NBA deal without compensation. After some backlash, a resolution was reached, allowing Creek to pursue his NBA goals.

Other key departures included Shannon Shorter (to Japan), Josh Childress (retired), and Matthew Hodgson (to Brisbane). To address these gaps, Adelaide signed import Jacob Wiley (via Germany) to replace Creek and added point guard Adris De León to help with scoring and playmaking duties. Rising stars Harry Froling and Jack McVeigh also joined the team straight from college, bringing youthful energy to the roster.

Despite the shakeup, Adelaide retained several core players, including Nathan Sobey, Majok Deng, Adam Doyle, Brendan Teys, and import Ramone Moore. Leading scorer Daniel Johnson returned and took over as team captain, replacing Creek.

Adelaide’s season began with a loss to Perth (91–99) at home, but they bounced back with a win against Sydney (94–83) in their next game. In Round 3, Sobey delivered one of the season’s highlights, recording a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists) in the 36ers’ win over Cairns (91–83).

However, Adelaide struggled after that, falling into a four-game losing streak, which included losses to New Zealand (114–94) and Brisbane (93–90). Injuries to key players like Ramone Moore disrupted their momentum. The team delivered an ultimatum to De Leon, requiring a turnaround in their next game, but after suffering another loss to Sydney, De Leon (7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists) was released. Former Illawarra import Demitrius Conger was signed as his replacement. With Moore still out, Adelaide also brought in Shaun Bruce, who had been unsigned after three seasons with Cairns, to finish the season.

Adelaide’s inconsistency continued, but they found some rhythm in Round 14, winning four consecutive games, including a crucial victory over Perth (97–84) and a dominant win over Sydney (119–99). However, their inconsistency returned, with losses to Melbourne (114–91) in Round 16 and Brisbane (98–87 OT) in Round 17, which ultimately hurt their playoff chances.

Harry Froling (7.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1 assist) had a solid season and earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours. His standout performances included a 23-point, 6-rebound, and 1-assist game against Sydney (10 Nov 2018), a 20-point, 4-rebound effort against New Zealand (28 Oct 2018), and a 14-point, 6-rebound, and 2-assist showing against Sydney (19 Jan 2019).

Adelaide’s season was marked by injuries and roster changes, but they managed to find form in Round 14, winning four consecutive games, including crucial victories against Perth (97–84) and Sydney (119–99). Unfortunately, inconsistency returned with losses to Melbourne (114–91) and Brisbane (98–87 OT) in later rounds, which hurt their playoff aspirations.

Alongside Froling, Daniel Johnson (17.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Nathan Sobey (16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) were named to the All-NBL Second Team. Other key contributors included Jacob Wiley (12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assist), Demitrius Conger (11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), Anthony Drmic (9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists), and Majok Deng (7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds), who was instrumental in Adelaide’s mid-season surge.

Despite hovering between fourth and fifth place for much of the second half of the season, Adelaide finished equal with Brisbane at 14-14. However, the Bullets advanced to the playoffs due to a higher points percentage, bringing Adelaide’s season to a disappointing end in fifth place.

2019/20
After finishing 14-14 and missing the playoffs on points percentage the previous season, Adelaide reshaped its roster following the departures of Nathan Sobey (to Brisbane), Jacob Wiley (to Gran Canaria), Majok Deng (to Cairns), Demitrius Conger (to Real Betis) and Shaun Bruce (to Sydney). Joey Wright remained as head coach, with Daniel Johnson, Anthony Drmic, Ramone Moore, Harry Froling, Jack McVeigh and Brendan Teys returning, while Eric Griffin (via Ironi Nahariya), Kevin White (via Illawarra), Daniel Dillon (via Paris), Obi Kyei, Alex Mudronja and Deshon Taylor were added. Taylor was released before the regular season when former NBL MVP Jerome Randle (via Sydney) became available and returned to Adelaide on a two-year deal.

Coming off his NBL Rookie of the Year season, Froling spent the offseason pursuing an NBA opportunity, working out with the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz before returning for the second year of his Adelaide contract.

Adelaide opened its season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on October 12, where Froling (8 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal) came off the bench, while Johnson (26 points and 7 rebounds) and Randle (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the 36ers. Newley (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 102-80 win.

Froling (7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds across 28 games) came off the bench in all 28 games, playing 14 minutes per game as his production dipped from his Rookie of the Year season. He appeared in every game and did not miss any time through injury.

One of Froling’s best games came against his brother Sam and Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 21, where Froling (15 points and 2 rebounds) provided an important scoring lift from the bench as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 98-92 for its second straight win and moved into the top four. Johnson (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Moore (16 points and 4 assists) led Adelaide, while Brooks (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Illawarra’s best.

Froling’s best game of the season came against South East Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 13, where he made 8-of-9 shots and finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 15 minutes. Froling scored 14 points in the third quarter, making two three-pointers before a no-look tip-in at the buzzer extended Adelaide’s lead to 10, with Randle (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Griffin (20 points and 10 rebounds) helping the 36ers defeat the Phoenix 113-111 and win the inaugural Beyond Blue Cup, while Creek (27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne.

Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) led Adelaide in scoring and assists, while Johnson (18.1 points and 8.3 rebounds) remained the team’s leading rebounder. Griffin (14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks), Drmic (10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), Moore (7.8 points), McVeigh (6 points) and Teys (5.2 points) were the other major contributors. Adelaide reached 11-11 with six games remaining but lost five of its final six games, with Moore missing the final seven games because of a shoulder injury.

Following the season, Wright and Adelaide mutually parted ways after seven seasons, with Wright publicly criticising Randle, Griffin, Moore and Froling following his departure. Adelaide then gave Froling (to Brisbane) permission to test free agency and he joined the Bullets in July. Reflecting on his second year with the 36ers, Froling acknowledged his focus on reaching the NBA and his conditioning had affected his season. “I didn’t handle that well, my second year in Adelaide, with where my headspace was at,” Froling later said.

Already out of playoff contention, Adelaide finished its season against Perth at RAC Arena on February 15 in Wright’s 500th NBL game as a head coach. Froling (11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists) produced his only double-double of the season, while Johnson (18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) and McVeigh (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Adelaide and Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Perth to a 94-79 win as the 36ers finished seventh with a 12-16 record.

2020/21
After finishing fifth with a 15-13 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Brisbane reshaped its roster under coach Andrej Lemanis. Cam Gliddon (to South East Melbourne), Lamar Patterson (to New Zealand), Will Magnay (to New Orleans), Reuben Te Rangi (to South East Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Southern Districts), Taylor Braun (to Israel) and EJ Singler (to NZNBL) departed, while Orlando Johnson (via Russia), Vic Law (via Lakeland), Anthony Drmic and Harry Froling (both via Adelaide), Tanner Krebs (via St Mary’s) and Tamuri Wigness were added.

Froling joined Brisbane in July after two seasons with Adelaide, looking for a fresh start after his production fell from 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds during his Rookie of the Year season to 7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds the following year. He arrived leaner after losing around 10 kilograms during the off-season and entered NBL21 looking to establish a larger role in Brisbane’s frontcourt.

Brisbane opened the season against Illawarra at Nissan Arena on January 16, where Froling (10 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) started and recorded a double-double, while Sobey (19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Law (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led Brisbane offensively, while Sam Froling (19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra to a 90-84 win.

Froling (8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 36 games) produced the best statistical season of his career to that point while averaging 17.5 minutes per game and shooting 43 per cent from the field and 36 per cent from three. After beginning the season in the starting group, his minutes dropped as Lemanis searched for combinations, but Froling continued working his way back into the rotation. He was not sidelined by injury or illness at any stage and played in all 36 games for Brisbane.

Froling produced his first major performance of the season against Cairns at the NBL Cup on February 28, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists as Brisbane defeated the Taipans 115-95. Sobey (30 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Drmic (20 points and 7 rebounds) led the scoring, while Scott Machado (26 points and 7 assists) was Cairns’ best.

Orlando Johnson (6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 15 games) was released in March and Patterson returned (via New Zealand), while illness swept through the Bullets camp and opened another opportunity for Froling. Back in the starting lineup against New Zealand at Nissan Arena on March 20, Froling (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) produced his highest scoring game to that point, with Hodgson (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Drmic (16 points) providing support, while Tai Webster (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led New Zealand as Brisbane won 88-67 and improved to 9-7. “Harry’s been working really hard over the last three or four weeks and it was pleasing to see him play the way he played,” Lemanis said.

Froling’s best game of the season came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on April 7, where he made three three-pointers and finished with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block as Brisbane recovered from a 14-point deficit to win 88-82. Cadee (22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (17 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) helped complete the comeback, while Justinian Jessup (19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) led Illawarra.

Froling delivered another important performance during Brisbane’s late playoff push against Cairns on May 26, coming off the bench for 20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Sobey (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Harrison (13 points and 7 rebounds) provided support, while Mojave King (25 points) led Cairns as Brisbane won 101-96 and remained in finals contention.

Brisbane’s hopes of building momentum had been damaged when Law (18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 16 games) suffered an ankle injury following the March 20 win over New Zealand. Further testing revealed a torn tendon which required surgery and ended his season, with Brisbane losing six of its next seven games to fall from 9-7 to 10-13. Patterson (14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 17 games) eventually returned from the MCL injury he had suffered with New Zealand, while BJ Johnson (10 points and 3.7 rebounds across 11 games) was added (via Long Island) later in the season.

Sobey (21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 36 games) led Brisbane offensively, with Drmic (10.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 34 games), Hodgson (10.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 32 games), Cadee (9.5 points and 4 assists across 36 games) and Harrison (5.2 points and 5.9 rebounds across 36 games) forming the remainder of the main rotation. The Bullets ranked third in offensive rebounding and second in defensive rebounds, but conceded a league-high 90.9 points per game while scoring 89 per game, with three consecutive victories their longest winning streak of the season.

Sobey was named to the All-NBL First Team and won Brisbane’s Leroy Loggins MVP and Members MVP awards, Cadee received the Players Player Award, Hodgson was named Defensive Player of the Year and Wigness received the Young Player of the Year award. Lemanis also departed after five seasons as Brisbane coach, while the Bullets declined Froling’s team option and he joined Illawarra (to Illawarra) for NBL22.

Brisbane won four of its final five games but had left its run too late to reach the postseason. The Bullets closed the season against South East Melbourne at Nissan Arena on June 8, where Froling (7 points and 2 rebounds) played 13 minutes, Patterson (19 points and 3 assists) and Sobey (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane, while Mitchell Creek (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was the Phoenix’s best as Brisbane won 94-84 and finished sixth with an 18-18 record.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2021/22
After pushing Perth to a deciding game in the NBL21 semifinals, Illawarra entered its second season under Brian Goorjian with Justin Simon (to Ludwigsburg), Cam Bairstow (to Adelaide) and Max Darling (released) departing. Tyler Harvey re-signed on a three-year deal, while Antonius Cleveland, Travis Trice, Harry (via Brisbane) and Duop Reath (via Serbia) were added. Trice was released before the season after choosing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes signed as his replacement.

Harry Froling signed a one-year deal with Illawarra after two seasons in Brisbane, allowing him to play alongside his younger brother Sam for the first time in the NBL. The former Rookie of the Year arrived with 114 games of NBL experience but acknowledged the importance of the move after his role and production had declined during his second season with the Bullets. “I realised I was probably more at the crossroads right now more than I’ve ever been,” Froling said.

Illawarra opened its season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 5, where Harry (5 rebounds), Reath (18 points and 9 rebounds), Jessup (17 points and 3 steals) and Harvey (15 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) led the Hawks to an 81-71 victory, while former Hawk Bairstow (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Froling (4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds) appeared in 29 games, coming off the bench in every appearance as part of Illawarra’s frontcourt rotation. He did not miss a game because of a confirmed injury, with his only non-appearance coming against South East Melbourne on March 17, when he was listed but did not enter the game and no injury or reason was reported.

Returning to Nissan Arena to face his former team on December 19, Harry (15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) made all three of his three-point attempts and tied Reath (15 points and 7 rebounds) as Illawarra’s leading scorer, while Cleveland (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals) and Sam (11 points and 11 rebounds) also contributed. Nathan Sobey (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists), Robert Franks (16 points and 7 rebounds), Jason Cadee (16 points and 4 assists) and Tyrell Harrison (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Brisbane to a 96-92 victory and handed Illawarra its first loss of the season.

Harry produced another strong shooting performance against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 16, making four of his five three-point attempts and finishing with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block. Jessup (18 points), Cleveland (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Reath (14 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, but Matthew Dellavedova (33 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists) led United to an 88-84 victory.

Harry’s best game came against Adelaide at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 24, where he made eight of his 10 three-point attempts and finished with a career-high 27 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. He became the first player during the NBL22 season to make eight three-pointers in a game, while Sam (18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (19 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Cleveland (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Illawarra win 100-89 after Reath left during the first half with a hip injury. Sunday Dech (20 points and 3 assists), Todd Withers (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Kai Sotto (12 points and 5 rebounds) led Adelaide.

It’s @HarryFroling‘s world and we’re all just living in it – with the big man nailing 8/10 from 3️⃣
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– Watch the Battle of the Birds clash on @ESPNAusNZ via @kayosports and @Foxtel 📺
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– 📝 for your @peppermoney ‘POTG’ here: https://t.co/Hf7Q9a9BoF
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– #WeAreIllawarra #FlyAsOne #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/JCZeniJM4I

— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) January 24, 2022

Club legend Tim Coenraad was initially added as an injury replacement before being elevated to the full roster after Daniel Grida suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Harvey (16.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.7 steals) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer, while Reath (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks) collected the Hawks’ MVP award. Cleveland (14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1.2 blocks) won the NBL Defensive Player of the Year award and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Jessup (13.3 points and 3.8 rebounds), Rathan-Mayes (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) and Sam (8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds) were other major contributors.

Illawarra completed the regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Harry (3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists), Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals), Cleveland (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Harvey (15 points and 3 steals) led the Hawks to an 87-84 victory, while Xavier Cooks (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists) was Sydney’s best. The victory secured the Adrian Hurley Cup, second place, home-court advantage in the semifinals and a 19-9 record.

The semifinal series opened at the WIN Entertainment Centre on April 29, where Froling (1 rebound) saw minimal game time, while Reath (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Cleveland (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Illawarra. Jaylen Adams (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), Ian Clark (16 points) and Cooks (11 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks) were Sydney’s best in their 89-79 win.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Froling (3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) again say minimal time as Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) and Rathan-Mayes (14 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks. Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), Jarell Martin (23 points and 9 rebounds), Clark (17 points) and Cooks (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led Sydney as the Kings won 99-87 and completed the sweep.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2022/23
After finishing eighth with a 10-18 record during James Duncan’s first season as coach, Brisbane moved on from Robert Franks (to Adelaide), Anthony Drmic (to Adelaide), Deng Deng (to Illawarra), and Chuanxing Liu (to the Bay Area Dragons), while Lamar Patterson, Isaiah Moss, Jack Salt, and Tom Digbeu were not retained. Aron Baynes (via Toronto), Tyler Johnson (via San Antonio), Devondrick Walker (via Rockingham), DJ Mitchell (via Gold Coast), Gorjok Gak (via Nymburk), and Kody Stattmann (via Virginia) joined Nathan Sobey, Jason Cadee, Tyrell Harrison, and Tanner Krebs on a roster many expected to finish inside the top four, although Sobey was returning from a knee injury and Baynes from the spinal cord injury suffered during the Tokyo Olympics.

The former Rookie of the Year returned to Brisbane (via Illawarra) for a second stint on a one-year deal after spending the previous season with the Hawks. He was playing with the Hobart Chargers in NBL1 when the Bullets brought him back to strengthen their frontcourt rotation. “I’m super excited to get back to Brisbane. I’ve got some great friends and family there,” he said.

Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) came off the bench in Brisbane’s season opener at RAC Arena on October 2, but Cotton (23 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals) led Perth to an 87-73 victory.

Froling (5.4 points and 4 rebounds across 25 games) made one start and otherwise provided frontcourt depth from the bench. Brisbane entered the season with championship expectations but lost its opening six games before finally recording its first victory against Illawarra.

The forward delivered his first double-double of the season against the Hawks at Nissan Arena on October 27, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds as Brisbane won 86-61. Sobey (22 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Cadee (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) also scored 13 or more points, while Deng (11 points and 11 rebounds) led Illawarra. The result completed consecutive victories by at least 25 points for Brisbane for the first time since February 2007.

The early improvement did not stabilise the club. Brisbane released its second import after five games and signed Andrew White (via Büyükçekmece), while Duncan and the Bullets mutually parted ways after nine games with a 3-6 record. General Manager Sam Mackinnon coached four games on an interim basis before assistant coach Greg Vanderjagt took over for the remainder of the season, with Tall Blacks coach Pero Cameron later joining the staff.

Froling’s best scoring game came against his former team at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 21, where he made six of his 13 field-goal attempts and finished with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. Johnson (23 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) and White (18 points) led Brisbane, while Harvey (22 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer as the Bullets won 103-86, collected their third consecutive victory, and completed a sweep of their three games against the Hawks.

Following the game, Froling was allegedly assaulted during a night out in Wollongong. He suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain before undergoing emergency surgery after returning to Brisbane and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. The Bullets later declined the second-year option attached to his contract, ending his second stint with the club.

Johnson (15.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals) was named Members MVP and Players’ Player and finished runner-up for the NBL’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Sobey (15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists) received the Leroy Loggins Trophy as Brisbane’s Most Valuable Player, Baynes (11.7 points and 7.8 rebounds) was named Defensive Player of the Year, Cadee (11.5 points and 4.1 assists) received the St Genevieve Partners’ Choice Award, and Mitchell (9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds) was another major contributor, while development player Matt Johns received the Youth Player of the Year award.

Without Froling, Brisbane closed its season at Nissan Arena on February 4, where Baynes (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Johnson (15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) pushed New Zealand into overtime, but McDowell-White (15 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) helped the Breakers win 80-75 as the Bullets finished ninth with an 8-20 record.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2025/26
Illawarra began its 2025/26 title defence without Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki), while Tyler Harvey, William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield, Daniel Grida and the injured Sam Froling returned from the championship roster.

Head coach Justin Tatum recruited imports JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta) and JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), while Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Harry Froling (via Melbourne NBL1), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Johny Narkle (via Geraldton) and development player Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) also joined the team.

Froling returned to Illawarra as the injury replacement for his brother, who tore his Achilles during the previous Championship Series. The 2019 NBL Rookie of the Year had not played in the league since January 2023 after suffering a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain in an attack, but worked his way back through Taranaki in New Zealand and the Melbourne Tigers in NBL1 South, losing 33 kilograms before earning another opportunity.

Illawarra raised its championship banner before opening the season against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 27, where Froling (3 points and 2 rebounds) checked into an NBL game for the first time in more than two and a half years and drilled a three-pointer, but the JackJumpers won 91-86. McGee (32 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Hamilton (21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) was Tasmania’s best.

Froling (3.4 points across 14 games) provided reserve minutes in the frontcourt, shooting 60.9 per cent from the field and 58.3 per cent from three before his brother returned on Christmas night.

Froling’s strongest all-round game came against Brisbane at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 11, where he finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists as Illawarra collected its first win of the season with a 116-89 victory. Harvey (22 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals) and McGee (13 points and 12 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Prather (28 points and 9 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best.

His best scoring game followed against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 18, where Froling (11 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made both three-point attempts and all five free throws, completing a four-point play at the buzzer, but the Phoenix defeated Illawarra 116-76. McGee (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks) and Harvey (14 points and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Glover (26 points) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer.

McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released in October and replaced by Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 26 games), while Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) was ruled out for the season with groin and foot injuries.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 31 games) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists across 31 games) led Illawarra’s offence, with Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across 27 games), Sam Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games), Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games), Grida (6.3 points across 29 games), Peatling (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) and Blanchfield (5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds across 32 games) carrying the remaining rotation. McGee won the club MVP award, Grida received the Players’ Player, Most Improved and Members’ Choice awards, Swaka Lo Buluk was named Defensive Player of the Year and Peatling received the Coaches’ Award.

Already eliminated from the postseason, Illawarra closed the season at MyState Bank Arena on February 18 with a 103-70 win over Tasmania. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Peterson (20 points and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Bannan (17 points) was Tasmania’s best as Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record.

Harry Froling currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 169 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 6.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists since entering the league in 2015.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Harry Froling is heading back to the @BrisbaneBullets, but can he top this shot from his last stint there?#NBL23 @HarryFroling pic.twitter.com/fHmujdP7MN

— The NBL (@NBL) May 28, 2022