BIO: Sam Froling was born in Townsville (QLD) to Shane and Jenny Froling as the youngest of four siblings. He began playing basketball as a junior with the Townsville basketball program.

Froling played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays for one season before becoming disillusioned with the college basketball system and decided he would be better off continuing his career in Australia. Froling received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2016. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2016, 2017, 2018).

FAMILY: Sam Froling is the son of Shane Froling who played 271 games in the NBL. Sam’s brother, Harry Froling also played 155 games in the NBL. Sam’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

Sam Froling made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 19 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

As a rookie, Sam Froling appeared in 17 games for the Illawarra Hawks, averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. Despite showing promise, an ankle injury sidelined him for 11 games. The Hawks struggled throughout the season and finished in ninth place with a 5-23 record.

2020/21
In April 2020, the Illawarra Hawks entered voluntary administration, and creditors voted to liquidate the team. However, the NBL ensured the franchise’s survival, announcing on 17 June 2020 that the ownership license had been awarded to Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo, and Michael Proctor.

Under the new ownership, the team was rebranded as “The Hawks” to broaden its appeal in New South Wales. Shortly afterward, Brian Goorjian was named head coach. With the entire roster needing to be re-signed, Sam Froling and Emmett Naar were the only players from the previous season’s full-time roster to return. Key additions included Boomers representatives Cam Bairstow and Deng Adel, NBA prospect Justinian Jessup under the NBL’s Next Star program, and imports Tyler Harvey and Justin Simon.

The Hawks began their season with off-court controversy, including fan outcry over the omission of “Illawarra” from the team’s name. After a campaign from the ownership group, which increased memberships and corporate support, the NBL reinstated the “Illawarra” name ahead of the club’s first home game.

On the court, the Hawks faced adversity, including Bairstow being ruled out for the season after missing nine games due to a hip injury, and Daniel Grida suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Froling, however, elevated his game, averaging 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting efficiently. He played all 39 games, becoming the only Hawk to do so, and celebrated his 50th NBL game against the New Zealand Breakers in Round 20. His stellar improvement earned him the NBL’s Most Improved Player Award, with significant jumps in his scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking numbers.

The Hawks finished the season in third place (20-16) and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Despite taking Game 1 of the semifinals against Perth, they fell short in Games 2 and 3, ending their campaign.

2021/22
After narrowly missing the NBL Grand Final in 2021, the Illawarra Hawks made significant moves in preparation for the 2021/22 season. Tyler Harvey, the team’s leading scorer, re-signed on a three-year deal and was joined by new imports Antonius Cleveland and Travis Trice. Trice, however, was released before the season after refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and replaced by Xavier Rathan-Mayes. Additional signings included Harry Froling, Sam’s brother, and Duop Reath, fresh from a stellar Boomers campaign at the Tokyo Olympics.

Froling continued his upward trajectory, contributing 8.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Despite an injury-plagued season, he solidified his role as a key frontcourt player. Meanwhile, Reath (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) and Cleveland (14.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks) became cornerstones of the team. Cleveland earned the Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year and an All-NBL First Team selection.

Illawarra finished the regular season in second place (19-9), but their playoff run ended in the semifinals with a disappointing loss to cross-town rivals Sydney Kings. Despite the early exit, the Hawks’ performance reinforced their status as contenders in the league.

2021/22
After nearly defeating the Perth Wildcats in the NBL21 semifinals, the Illawarra Hawks entered the 2021/22 season with high expectations. Tyler Harvey, the team’s leading scorer from the previous season, re-signed on a three-year deal and was joined by new imports Antonius Cleveland and Travis Trice. Trice, however, was released after refusing the COVID vaccine, with Xavier Rathan-Mayes signed as his replacement. Additional roster moves included Harry Froling joining his brother Sam in Hawks colors, and Duop Reath, fresh off a stellar Boomers campaign, adding depth to the frontcourt.

Reath began the season in dominant form, averaging 19.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over the first four games. Tyler Harvey experienced a dip in production from 20.4 points per game to 16.1 but still led the team in scoring. Meanwhile, Sam Froling bounced back from an injury-plagued season, delivering 8.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, solidifying his role in the Hawks’ frontcourt.

Injury replacement Tim Coenraad, a club legend, was elevated to the full roster following a season-ending knee injury to Daniel Grida. Other standout contributors included Next Star Justinian Jessup, who improved his averages to 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in his second season.

Illawarra finished the regular season in second place (19-9) but suffered another semifinal exit, this time to cross-town rivals Sydney. Despite the early exit, Duop Reath earned the Hawks’ MVP award with averages of 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, while Antonius Cleveland secured the Damian Martin Trophy for Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All-NBL First Team.

2022/23
Following two straight semifinal appearances, the Illawarra Hawks underwent significant changes heading into the 2022/23 season. Head coach Brian Goorjian departed to join the Bay Area Dragons in the East Asia Super League, with longtime assistant Jacob Jackomas promoted to head coach. A mass exodus of talent saw the departures of Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne), along with Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and the retirement of veteran AJ Ogilvy. Only Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling remained from the core rotation.

The Hawks replaced outgoing players with Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Perth), and Mangok Mathiang, while signing imports Justin Robinson and George King. However, injuries decimated the team early in the season. Justin Robinson underwent surgery for a meniscus tear suffered in the opening game, and George King was released after nine games due to a persistent lower leg injury. Robinson was replaced by Peyton Siva, who averaged 9.3 points and 6.3 assists over 11 games before a season-ending shoulder injury.

The Hawks snapped a nine-game losing streak in December with a 93-79 win over Melbourne. Sam Froling led the way with a dominant 29-point performance, supported by Michael Frazier II (16 points) and Tyler Harvey (15 points). Frazier, who had been a late-season addition, averaged 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists before suffering a season-ending arm injury.

Froling delivered several standout performances, including a 27-point, 15-rebound effort in a double-overtime loss to Melbourne (100-106) and 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in another double-overtime defeat to Cairns (101-102). He finished the season averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, earning the Hawks’ MVP award. Despite his efforts, Illawarra finished with the worst record in club history at 3-25.

2023/24
Following their worst season in franchise history, the Illawarra Hawks aimed for a fresh start in Jacob Jackomas’ second year as head coach. The team acquired Todd Blanchfield in a buyout deal with Perth, while adding young talents Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), and Lachlan Olbrich (via NCAA). Other notable additions included Korean sharpshooter Hyunjung Lee under the NBL’s Asian player rule and NBA prospect AJ Johnson through the Next Stars program. Import Justin Robinson returned fully healthy, joined by NBA veteran Gary Clark. Tyler Harvey, captain Sam Froling, and several core guards returned to lead the team.

Despite promising preseason signs, the Hawks struggled to find consistency early in the regular season. Froling delivered solid performances, averaging 15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, while Clark led offensively with 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Illawarra improved offensively, jumping from last in points per game (80.8) to fourth (91.6), but defensive lapses persisted.

By October, Illawarra held a 2-4 record with wins against South East Melbourne and Cairns. However, consecutive defeats to Sydney and Cairns prompted the departure of Jackomas, with assistant coach Justin Tatum stepping in as interim head coach. Under Tatum, the Hawks won four of their next six games. Despite injuries to key players, the emergence of Will Hickey and the mid-season signing of Kyle Adnam as an injury replacement kept the Hawks competitive.

Illawarra finished the regular season in fourth place (14-14) and advanced to the play-in tournament. After a loss to Tasmania (92-76), they edged out New Zealand (88-85) to reach the semifinals. The Hawks pushed Melbourne United to a deciding game in the semifinal series but ultimately fell short, missing a Grand Final berth by six points.

Clark’s 38-point outburst against Cairns highlighted his season, earning him the Hawks’ MVP award and a spot on the All-NBL First Team. Sam Froling remained a key contributor throughout the season, anchoring the team on both ends of the floor.

Let’s take a look back at some of @samfroling_ highlights from last season! ????

Bring on NBL25! Memberships coming soon! ???? #WeRiseTogether pic.twitter.com/hmkBi7hFrz

— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) May 9, 2024

Sam Froling currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 162 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 11.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists since entering the league in 2019.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 3 Year Deal (2022-25)

Dan Boyce (823 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.