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 three 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 169 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 scored two points in his first game.

After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra entered the new campaign under first-year head coach Matt Flinn. Kevin White (to Adelaide), Brian Conklin, Jordair Jett and Cedric Jackson departed, while the Hawks added former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Next Star LaMelo Ball, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling (via Creighton), who signed a three-year deal after spending one season at Creighton.

Froling made his NBL debut in Illawarra’s season opener against Brisbane on October 6, finishing with 2 points and 3 rebounds in eight minutes off the bench as the Hawks lost 90-81. Brooks (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and AJ Ogilvy (13 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra, while Lamar Patterson (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) was Brisbane’s best.

Froling (6 points and 3.4 rebounds across 17 games) provided frontcourt depth off the bench during his rookie season, averaging 12.6 minutes while shooting 46 per cent from the field. After appearing in Illawarra’s first seven games, an ankle injury sidelined him for the next 11 games. He returned in January and remained available for the Hawks’ final 10 games of the season.

Froling’s best game of the season came against South East Melbourne on January 12, where he made 6-of-9 shots and finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 steal in 21 minutes off the bench as Illawarra lost 90-82. Blanchfield (15 points and 3 steals) and Dech (13 points and 5 rebounds) provided support, while Dane Pineau (14 points, 19 rebounds, and 3 blocks) dominated inside for the Phoenix.

Illawarra’s season was heavily impacted by injuries, with Brooks (17.9 points and 4.1 assists across 7 games) tearing his Achilles in October and missing the remainder of the season, while Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) bruised his foot in practice in December and also failed to return. Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became the Hawks’ leading scorer and won the club’s MVP award for the second consecutive season. Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games), Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games) and Tim Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games) were the other major contributors, while Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

Despite his injury-interrupted rookie season, Froling was one of six debutants selected for the Australian Boomers’ opening window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February. Following the season, Illawarra entered voluntary administration before creditors voted to liquidate the company which held the Hawks’ licence. Froling was one of three players still contracted for the following season and was offered the opportunity by the NBL to fulfil his existing deal under the club’s new ownership.

Illawarra closed the season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, where Froling (9 points and 2 rebounds) played 16 minutes off the bench as the Hawks lost 98-82. Dech (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Illawarra, while Jae’Sean Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney as the Hawks finished ninth with a 5-23 record and ten consecutive losses.

2020/21
In April 2020, the Hawks entered voluntary administration before creditors voted to liquidate the club one month later. The NBL ensured the franchise survived and on June 17 announced that Dorry Kordahi, Bryan Colangelo and Michael Proctor had been awarded the licence. Under the new ownership the team was renamed The Hawks and six-time NBL championship-winning coach Brian Goorjian was appointed head coach.

Froling re-signed with the club on a two-year deal, joining Emmett Naar and the injured Daniel Grida among the players retained from the previous season. Goorjian rebuilt the roster by adding Cameron Bairstow (via Rytas Vilnius), Deng Adel (via Long Island), Next Star Justinian Jessup (via Boise State) and imports Tyler Harvey (via Ulm) and Justin Simon (via Windy City). Fan favourites AJ Ogilvy and Tim Coenraad were initially left off the rebuilt roster, although both eventually returned as injury replacements. “I’m super excited to see where this goes. I think we can be a really strong team and I’m super excited to see where it helps take me and my game,” Froling said.

The Hawks opened the season at Nissan Arena on January 16, where Froling (19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra to a 90-84 win over Brisbane. Naar (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Harvey (16 points) and Simon (13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) provided support, while Nathan Sobey (19 points), Victor Law (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Froling’s brother Harry Froling (10 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane. The victory gave Goorjian a win in his first NBL game since 2009 and was the Hawks’ first Round 1 road victory since 1995.

Froling (11.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 39 games) developed into Illawarra’s starting centre, starting every one of the club’s 36 regular-season games and all three playoff games while shooting 51.5 percent from the field. After an ankle injury had sidelined him for 11 games during his rookie season, Froling did not miss a game through injury during 2020/21. The Hawks won their opening four games while off-court attention remained focused on the removal of Illawarra from the club’s name. An ownership campaign which increased memberships and corporate support eventually led to the NBL restoring the Illawarra name ahead of the club’s first home game.

That first home game came against Melbourne on February 10, where Froling (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) produced one of his best all-round performances of the season. Jessup (24 points) and Harvey (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) also starred for Illawarra, but Scotty Hopson (21 points and 9 rebounds) and Mitch McCarron (17 points and 7 assists) led Melbourne to a 91-88 win in front of 3,458 fans at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

Froling delivered another strong performance against Sydney during the NBL Cup on March 11, making nine of his ten field-goal attempts and finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks as Illawarra defeated the Kings 89-69. Harvey (17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Jessup (15 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) helped the Hawks record a 20-point win, while Dejan Vasiljevic (12 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Froling’s best game of the season came against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on April 24, where he played 41 minutes and finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Simon (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) also contributed, but Casper Ware (18 points), Jordan Hunter (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Craig Moller (12 points and 9 rebounds) led Sydney to a 79-75 overtime win.

As Illawarra made its late-season push towards the playoffs, Froling produced one of his best defensive games against Cairns on May 23, finishing with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and a season-high 5 blocks as the Hawks won 93-81. Jessup (24 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Harvey (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists) led the scoring, while Scott Machado (17 points and 9 assists) was Cairns’ best.

Froling played his 50th NBL game against New Zealand on May 28 and matched his season-high with 22 points, adding 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Illawarra defeated the Breakers 84-73. Harvey (30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals) and Simon (13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) joined him in leading the Hawks, while Finn Delany (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Tai Webster (14 points and 2 steals) and Levi Randolph (13 points and 8 rebounds) led New Zealand. The victory moved Illawarra two wins clear in the playoff race with three regular-season games remaining.

Illawarra’s frontcourt was tested by injuries throughout the season. Bairstow (11.4 points and 6.2 rebounds across 14 games) was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the season after missing nine consecutive games with a minor hip issue, leading Coenraad (5.5 points across 11 games) to come out of retirement as his injury replacement. Grida (3.3 points across 18 games) returned on April 3 after spending more than 12 months recovering from the ACL injury suffered the previous season, while Adel (5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds across 23 games) mutually agreed to leave the Hawks in May after ongoing injuries and a groin complaint prevented him from establishing himself.

Harvey (20 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals across 37 games) led Illawarra in scoring and was named to the All-NBL First Team while finishing runner-up to Bryce Cotton for league MVP. Jessup (13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 38 games) was the Hawks’ second-leading scorer, while Simon (8.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals across 39 games) won the Damian Martin Trophy as NBL Defensive Player of the Year. Froling’s improvement from an injury-interrupted rookie season saw him receive 50 votes to win the NBL Most Improved Player award ahead of Sydney’s Jordan Hunter and New Zealand’s Finn Delany.

Scoring didn’t come easy to the Hawks, who fell from averaging 90.5 points across their opening ten games to finishing with a league-low 81.5 points per game. Harvey, Jessup, Bairstow and Froling were the only Illawarra players to average double figures, while the Hawks also finished last in field-goal percentage at 42.5 percent, shooting 47.8 percent from two-point range, 33.2 percent from three and 69.4 percent from the free-throw line.

From Round 16 the Hawks won eight of their final ten regular-season games and clinched their first postseason appearance since 2017 against defending champion Perth on June 1. Froling (14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks) started as Harvey (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Jessup (12 points and 4 rebounds) helped Illawarra defeat the Wildcats 81-79, while Clint Steindl (15 points), John Mooney (14 points and 16 rebounds) and Jesse Wagstaff (12 points) led Perth. It was Illawarra’s first victory over Perth for the season after losing the previous three meetings by double figures and secured a playoff berth before the Hawks finished third with a 20-16 record.

The semifinal series opened at RAC Arena, where Froling (10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) provided a strong all-round performance as Illawarra defeated Perth 74-72. Jessup (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Simon (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the Hawks, while Todd Blanchfield (24 points), Mooney (13 points and 15 rebounds) and Luke Travers (12 points and 6 rebounds) led Perth. Froling threw down a fourth-quarter dunk over Jesse Wagstaff before Simon grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the match-winning putback dunk with 15 seconds remaining, giving Illawarra only its second victory in 24 games at RAC Arena.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Froling (2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 4 blocks) remained a strong defensive presence but Perth defeated Illawarra 79-71 to level the series. Harvey (24 points and 4 steals), Jessup (11 points) and Deng (9 points and 4 rebounds) led the Hawks, while Mooney (18 points and 10 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Clint Steindl (12 points) led Perth, with Steindl scoring all 12 of his points during a 32-point Wildcats third quarter.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) was Illawarra’s leading scorer as the Hawks reduced a 16-point deficit to one early in the fourth quarter. Simon (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists), Harvey (10 points) and Grida (9 points and 2 steals) provided support, while Blanchfield (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals), Mooney (16 points and 15 rebounds) and Mitch Norton (15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led Perth to a 79-71 win.

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 Ulm), Cam Bairstow (to Adelaide) and Max Darling (released) departing. Tyler Harvey re-signed on a three-year deal, while Antonius Cleveland, Travis Trice, Harry Froling (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.

After winning the NBL’s Most Improved Player award and appearing in all 39 games during the previous season, Sam Froling returned for the final year of the two-year deal he signed with Illawarra in 2020.

Illawarra opened its season at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 5, where Sam (4 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), Reath (18 points and 9 rebounds) and Justinian Jessup (17 points and 3 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 (8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 30 games) started 29 times and appeared in all 28 regular-season games and both semifinals. After an ankle injury had cost him 11 games during his rookie season, he remained available for every game for the second consecutive season and did not miss a match through injury or illness. The addition of Reath reduced his scoring responsibilities, with Froling focusing more heavily on rebounding, screening and defending alongside Illawarra’s new centre.

Froling’s second game came against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on December 11, where he finished with 9 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block as Illawarra defeated the Kings 92-84. Reath (27 points and 7 rebounds) and Cleveland (19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Hawks, while Angus Glover (16 points and 7 rebounds) was Sydney’s leading scorer. A late scuffle followed after Glover was ejected for dropping his knee into Froling following a blocked shot, with Froling later accepting a $375 fine for engaging in the melee.

Froling’s best game came against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 13, where he made 12 of his 17 shots and finished with a career-high 27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. Harvey (23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Rathan-Mayes (16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) helped Illawarra close the game with a decisive run and win 97-89, while Jarell Martin (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Kings.

Slam Froling going upstairs with two hands ?#NBL22 on @ESPNAusNZ and @kayosports ? pic.twitter.com/c4uEB3XL8E

— The NBL (@NBL) January 13, 2022

Froling signed a new three-year deal in February, keeping him with Illawarra through the 2024/25 season. “My intentions were always to stay with the Hawks, so it’s great to have it all sorted,” said Froling.

Club legend Tim Coenraad (3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds across 29 games) was initially signed as an injury replacement before being elevated to the full roster after Daniel Grida suffered a season-ending knee injury. Illawarra overcame a midseason stretch where it lost six of nine games to win eight of its final nine regular-season games and 11 of its final 13.

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) and Rathan-Mayes (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) were other major contributors.

Illawarra completed the regular season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on April 24, where Froling (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks), Jessup (24 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Cleveland (18 points, 6 rebounds, 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 win 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 (4 points and 3 rebounds), 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) helped Sydney overcome an early deficit and win 89-79.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Illawarra led by 15 points during the second quarter before being held to 33 points after half-time. Froling (8 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks), Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Reath (20 points and 3 blocks) led the Hawks, while Adams (29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists), 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.

2022/23
Sam Froling entered the first season of the three-year contract he had signed in February 2022 and was named co-captain alongside Tyler Harvey following AJ Ogilvy’s retirement. Illawarra underwent major changes after consecutive semifinal appearances, with coach Brian Goorjian departing for the Bay Area Dragons and long-time assistant Jacob Jackomas promoted as his replacement. Duop Reath (to Lebanon), Justinian Jessup (to Spain), Antonius Cleveland (to Adelaide), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Melbourne) and Harry Froling (to Brisbane) also departed, leaving Harvey and Froling as the only players retained from the previous season’s main rotation.

The Hawks added Deng Deng (via Brisbane), Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (via Sydney) and Mangok Mathiang (via Casey), while completing their import group with Justin Robinson and George King.

Illawarra opened the season against Sydney at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 1, where the starting centre (7 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) worked against the Kings’ frontcourt, while Lachlan Dent (19 points) and Harvey (18 points) led the Hawks. Derrick Walton Jr (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists), Xavier Cooks (24 points) and Justin Simon (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Sydney to a 106-97 win, while Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) suffered a meniscus tear during the third quarter but completed the game before undergoing season-ending surgery.

Froling (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 28 games) started every game, led Illawarra in rebounding and became one of the few consistent pieces available throughout a season dominated by injuries and roster changes.

Illawarra collected its first win against South East Melbourne on October 6, where Froling (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) helped control the paint alongside Harvey (22 points and 5 rebounds) and King (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists). Junior Madut (21 points and 7 rebounds) and Alan Williams (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Phoenix, but the Hawks won 85-72.

Robinson (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists across one game) was initially replaced by Kevin White (via Perth, 0.6 points across five games) before Peyton Siva (via New Zealand, 9.3 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 11 games) was signed on October 19. King (10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across nine games) was later released after a persistent ankle and lower-leg injury, with Michael Frazier II (via Perth, 17.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across eight games) added as his replacement. Siva’s season was subsequently ended by a shoulder injury, while Frazier suffered a broken left arm, leaving Illawarra without four of the imports used during the campaign.

Froling’s best game came against Melbourne at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 29, where he made 13 of 17 field goals and finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 assists. Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) hit a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to force overtime, before Rathan-Mayes (32 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) answered with a three during the first overtime. Siva (14 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals) also produced a double-double for Illawarra, while Isaac Humphries (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped United win 106-100 in double overtime.

During the November FIBA window, Froling (18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Australia to a 97-50 victory over Kazakhstan, helping the Boomers secure qualification for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Watch Froling’s Boomers highlights against Kazakhstan

Froling’s highest-scoring game came against Melbourne on December 5, where he scored 16 points during the opening quarter and finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block on 11-of-17 shooting. Frazier (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists), Harvey (15 points) and Deng (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals) provided support, while Rayjon Tucker (27 points) led United as Illawarra won 93-79, snapping a nine-game losing streak and collecting its first victory since October 6.

Five days later in Cairns, Froling (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) produced another strong performance alongside Frazier (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Harvey (21 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals) and Siva (13 points and 8 assists). Harvey tied the game with a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, but Siva’s attempted game-winner rimmed out at the end of the second overtime as Tahjere McCall (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), DJ Hogg (23 points) and Keanu Pinder (18 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led Cairns to a 102-101 win.

With Harvey and Frazier unavailable through illness in Tasmania on December 22, Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) carried Illawarra’s scoring, but Josh Magette (12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals) led the JackJumpers to an 87-60 win.

Against Cairns at the WIN Entertainment Centre on January 2, Froling (25 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Illawarra back from an 18-point deficit and helped the Hawks move ahead during the final quarter. Harvey (21 points and 3 assists) and William Hickey (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) provided support, while Shannon Scott (18 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals), Hogg (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Ben Ayre (15 points) helped Cairns close the game on a 16-9 run and win 96-89.

Froling (21 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) produced one of his best all-round games against Tasmania on January 10, with Harvey (22 points), Daniel Grida (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Deng (16 points) also contributing. Rashard Kelly (18 points and 5 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (15 points and 6 rebounds) led the JackJumpers to a 92-89 win.

Illawarra collected its third victory against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 19, where Froling (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist) and Mathiang (15 points and 5 rebounds) supported Harvey (25 points and 3 steals). Dererk Pardon (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led the Breakers before Harvey made a long three-pointer as time expired to give the Hawks a 78-76 win.

Harvey (18.9 points and 1.5 steals across 27 games) remained Illawarra’s leading scorer, while Deng (8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games), Mathiang (7.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 25 games), Grida (5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds across 14 games), Dent (4.9 points across 25 games), Swaka Lo Buluk (4.9 points across 28 games) and Hickey (4.8 points across 24 games) provided support through the disrupted campaign. Swaka Lo Buluk received the club’s Defensive Player award, Harvey collected the Members’ Choice Award, Akoldah Gak (1 point across 13 games) was named Players’ Player and Grida received the Community Award.

Froling played all 28 games and received the Hawks’ MVP award, with Jackomas saying, “We asked a lot of Sam this season, and he has embraced every challenge.” He was also a finalist for the NBL’s Next Generation Award, finishing second to Sam Waardenburg by 47 votes to 45, while Illawarra suffered 14 losses by ten points or fewer.

The season ended against Tasmania at the WIN Entertainment Centre on February 4, where Froling (12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal), Harvey (13 points) and Grida (9 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra. Milton Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal) and McVeigh (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led the JackJumpers to an 87-63 win, leaving the Hawks in 10th place with a franchise-worst 3-25 record.

2023/24
Following the worst season in club history at 3-25, Illawarra entered Jacob Jackomas’ second campaign without Akoldah Gak (to Cairns), Mangok Mathiang (to New Zealand), Alex Mudronja (to Cairns), Lachlan Dent, Deng Deng, Peyton Siva and Michael Frazier II. Captain Sam Froling returned alongside Tyler Harvey, Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey and Daniel Grida, while Jackomas added Todd Blanchfield (via Perth), Mason Peatling (via Melbourne), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney), Lachlan Olbrich (via NCAA), Hyunjung Lee (via Santa Cruz), AJ Johnson (via Southern California Academy), Luca Yates (via Townsville) and Gary Clark (via Mexico City).

Froling entered the second season of the three-year deal signed in February 2022, which kept him with Illawarra through the end of NBL25. At the time of the agreement, he said, “I’m super excited to have my future secure – my intentions were always to stay with the Hawks, so it’s great to have it all sorted.”

Illawarra opened the season at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 30, where Froling (12 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 steal) recorded a double-double, but Sydney defeated the Hawks 96-81. Harvey (19 points and 3 steals) and Grida (14 points and 7 rebounds) led Illawarra’s scoring, while Kouat Noi (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Sydney’s best.

Froling (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds across 33 games) started every game, shared the team lead in rebounding and remained Illawarra’s interior anchor as the Hawks recovered from their early struggles.

His best regular-season game came against Tasmania on December 23, where Froling (22 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) shot 9-of-13 from the field in a 100-89 loss. Clark (18 points and 3 assists) and Harvey (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support, while Jordon Crawford (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the JackJumpers.

Froling (20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) made all nine of his field-goal attempts against South East Melbourne on January 5 as Illawarra defeated the Phoenix 116-78. Robinson (19 points and 3 rebounds) and Clark (16 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) supported him, while Mitch Creek (24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led South East Melbourne.

His highest-scoring regular-season game came against Tasmania on January 12, where Froling (23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) helped Illawarra defeat the JackJumpers 108-107 in double overtime. Clark (25 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Robinson (21 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) provided support, while Crawford (24 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Tasmania before Harvey (19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made the decisive three-pointer late in the second overtime period.

After Illawarra fell to 2-7, Jackomas departed and assistant Justin Tatum was elevated to interim head coach, guiding the Hawks to a 12-7 record over the remainder of the regular season. Kyle Adnam (via Romania) later joined as a nominated replacement player after Grida suffered another knee injury.

Clark (17 points and 7.8 rebounds) led Illawarra in scoring, with Harvey (15.1 points), Robinson (12 points and 4.4 assists), Lee (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (6 points), Hickey (5.2 points) and Grida (5.2 points across 10 games) forming the main rotation around Froling. Illawarra improved from last in scoring the previous season to fourth, finished fourth with a 14-14 record and returned to the postseason, while Clark earned All-NBL First Team and club MVP honours. Froling received the NBL Next Generation Award and Tatum was appointed permanent head coach on a three-year deal.

Illawarra opened the postseason in Hobart, where Froling (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist), Clark (21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) and Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks, but McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals), Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) and Crawford (20 points) carried Tasmania to a 92-76 win.

The Hawks returned home for an elimination game against New Zealand, where Froling (21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Robinson (26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra to an 88-85 win, with Clark (7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) protecting the rim. Parker Jackson-Cartwright (19 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals), Zylan Cheatham (14 points and 9 rebounds) and Mangok Mathiang (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led the Breakers.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena with a 115-106 overtime win behind Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals), Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) and Goulding (18 points), while Froling (26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block), Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Harvey (15 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Illawarra. The Hawks led by 16 points during the fourth quarter before Melbourne forced overtime, with Froling saying, “It looked like to me they started pressing us full-court, and it messed us up.”

Game two moved to Wollongong, where Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points and 2 steals), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra to a 113-108 overtime win. Dellavedova (20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Ian Clark (17 points) led Melbourne, while Hickey collected the offensive rebound after Clark’s missed shot and scored the putback which forced overtime.

The deciding game returned to John Cain Arena, where Froling (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal), Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Clark (14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra, while Ili (22 points), Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) and Ian Clark (14 points) carried Melbourne to a 100-94 win and ended the Hawks’ season six points short of the Grand Final.

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

2024/25
Following their return to the semifinals the previous season, Illawarra entered Justin Tatum’s first full campaign without Gary Clark (to Japan), Justin Robinson (to Spain), AJ Johnson (to Milwaukee), Biwali Bayles (to Switzerland) and Kyle Adnam (to Cairns). Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, William Hickey, Hyunjung Lee, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Todd Blanchfield and Daniel Grida returned, while Tatum added Trey Kell III (via Adelaide), Darius Days (via Winnipeg), Zac Triplett (via Melbourne) and Brad Ballinger (via Illawarra NBL1).

Froling entered the final season of the three-year deal signed in 2022, which kept him with Illawarra through the end of NBL25, and continued as co-captain alongside Harvey.

Illawarra opened the season at HoopsFest on September 21 with a 102-75 win over Cairns, where Froling (19 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block) controlled the paint alongside Days (20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Harvey (14 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal), while Tanner Groves (19 points and 7 rebounds) led the Taipans.

Froling (14.6 points and 7.3 rebounds across 29 games) led Illawarra in rebounding and remained a reliable interior scorer, screener and defensive presence as the Hawks spent much of the season atop the ladder.

His best game came in Adelaide on January 13, where Froling produced a career-high 35 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block on 15-of-21 shooting as Illawarra recovered from a 25-point deficit before falling 91-88. Harvey (15 points and 6 assists) and Days (13 points and 4 rebounds) helped drive the comeback, while Montrezl Harrell (26 points and 9 rebounds) led Adelaide.

The Hawks secured the first regular-season championship in club history on February 5 with a 96-82 road win over New Zealand, where Froling (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) supported Harvey (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Blanchfield (17 points and 4 rebounds), while Tacko Fall (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led the Breakers.

Two nights later, Froling (12 points and 11 rebounds) completed the regular season with another double-double as Illawarra defeated Sydney 95-75, with Lee (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Hickey (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) helping the Hawks finish first with a 20-9 record, while Jaylen Adams (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Kings.

Kobe McDowell-White (via Sunshine Coast) joined the Hawks as a development player in October, while Kuany Kuany (via NCAA) was added as a nominated replacement player in November.

Harvey (17.9 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and Kell (17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, with Days (11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds), Hickey (8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists), Olbrich (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (7.8 points) and Lee (7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds) forming one of the league’s deepest rotations. Froling earned All-NBL Second Team honours and shared Illawarra’s club MVP award with Harvey and Kell, while Harvey and Kell were named to the All-NBL First Team and Tatum received the Lindsay Gaze Trophy as NBL Coach of the Year.

Illawarra opened the semifinals at the WIN Entertainment Centre with a 101-94 win over South East Melbourne, taking control with a 32-12 third quarter behind Harvey (24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block), Kell (24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Froling (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), while Joe Wieskamp (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks), Nathan Sobey (17 points and 9 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr (15 points and 11 assists) led the Phoenix.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where South East Melbourne levelled the series with a 101-94 win behind Matt Hurt (30 points and 2 blocks), Sobey (25 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Hickey (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists), Froling (11 points and 5 rebounds) and Harvey (10 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal) led Illawarra.

The deciding game returned to Wollongong, where Froling (2 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists) controlled the glass as Kell (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists), Blanchfield (28 points and 4 rebounds) and Harvey (12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) powered the Hawks to a 126-96 win, while Wieskamp (25 points and 5 rebounds), Sobey (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (13 points and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne as Illawarra advanced to its first Grand Final since 2017.

The Grand Final series opened in Wollongong, where Froling (16 points and 7 rebounds), Hickey (14 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals) and Blanchfield (13 points and 3 rebounds) led Illawarra, but Matthew Dellavedova (18 points and 7 rebounds), Chris Goulding (15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks) carried Melbourne to a 96-88 win.

Game two moved to John Cain Arena, where Froling (23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) produced his best performance of the series alongside Harvey (24 points) and Kell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block). Harvey made a three-pointer with six seconds remaining to give Illawarra a 102-100 win, while Ian Clark (31 points), Goulding (17 points and 4 assists) and Dellavedova (14 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne.

Melbourne regained control in game three with an 83-77 road win behind Jack White (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), Clark (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dellavedova (16 points and 11 assists), while Hickey (12 points), Days (11 points and 4 rebounds), Kell (10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Froling (8 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra. Kell suffered a knee injury late in the game, leaving his availability for the remainder of the series in doubt.

Facing elimination in game four, Froling (5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made an aggressive start before rupturing his Achilles early in the second quarter, ending his season and ruling him out of the deciding game. Kell had already failed a fitness test, but Hickey (22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Olbrich (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Days (9 points and 11 rebounds) carried Illawarra to an 80-71 win, while Dellavedova (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists), Goulding (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Clark (16 points and 2 steals) led Melbourne. Tatum said, “There was no tomorrow unless we created it.”

Without Froling, Illawarra completed the series at home with a 114-104 win behind Kell (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists), Hickey (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists), Harvey (16 points and 7 rebounds), Swaka Lo Buluk (16 points) and Olbrich (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists), while Goulding (21 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Shea Ili (20 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals) and White (17 points and 7 rebounds) led Melbourne. Dellavedova (5 points and 7 assists) was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy before handing it to Hickey, while the victory delivered Illawarra its second championship, first since 2001, and Froling’s first NBL title.

2025/26
After defeating Melbourne in five games to win its first championship in 24 years, Illawarra entered NBL26 as defending champions under coach Justin Tatum. Trey Kell III (to Toyama), Darius Days (to San-en), Lachlan Olbrich (to Chicago) and Hyunjung Lee (to Nagasaki) departed, while Tatum added JaVale McGee (via Bayamón), Jonah Bolden (via Arecibo), Biwali Bayles (via Sydney Comets), Jackson Ball (via Hawke’s Bay) and JaQuori McLaughlin (via Jakarta) around the returning championship core.

Froling agreed to a new three-year deal after earning All-NBL Second Team honours but began the season recovering from the right Achilles injury suffered during game four of the previous season’s Championship Series. His older brother Harry was signed as a nominated replacement player, with Froling initially expected to remain sidelined until 2026. During rehabilitation, Justin Tatum shared recovery videos between Froling and his son Jayson Tatum, who was recovering from the same injury, as the pair helped motivate each other through their respective comebacks.

Froling’s season began at Qudos Bank Arena on Christmas night, where he returned nine months after the injury and finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 24 minutes, but Sydney defeated Illawarra 108-84. McGee (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Swaka Lo Buluk (15 points) provided support, while Kendric Davis (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists) led the Kings as the Hawks fell to 6-13.

Froling (11 points and 6.7 rebounds across 15 games) missed the opening 18 games but began his comeback with consecutive double-doubles. Tatum paired him with McGee at times and moved Froling between centre and power forward while he rebuilt his conditioning, with the co-captain starting five consecutive games following his return.

His first home appearance came against Tasmania on New Year’s Eve, where Froling (16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) made seven of 10 shots as Illawarra held on for a 92-90 victory. McGee (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 6 blocks) and Harvey (15 points) helped the Hawks improve to 7-13, while Josh Bannan (25 points and 6 rebounds) led Tasmania before Bryce Hamilton’s attempted game-tying reverse layup was ruled to have come after time expired.

Froling’s best scoring game came against South East Melbourne on January 8, where he made his first eight field-goal attempts and finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists on 10-of-13 shooting. Peterson (22 points) and Harvey (19 points) kept Illawarra in the contest, while Nathan Sobey (37 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) dominated overtime as the Phoenix defeated the Hawks 124-113.

Harry Froling (3.4 points across 14 games) provided frontcourt cover while his brother was unavailable, while McLaughlin (7.7 points and 4 assists across 3 games) was released and Peterson signed as his replacement. Bolden (4.4 points and 5.5 rebounds across 8 games) suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, further reducing Illawarra’s frontcourt depth before Sam returned.

McGee (19.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks) and Harvey (16.9 points and 3.6 assists) led Illawarra’s offence, with Peterson (15.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists) and Hickey (12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists) the other main contributors. McGee was named the Hawks’ MVP, Grida (6.3 points across 29 games) received Most Improved Player and Players’ Player honours, Swaka Lo Buluk (8 points across 33 games) received the Defensive Player award and McDowell-White (1 point across 5 games) collected the Coaches’ Award.

The season ended in Hobart on February 18, where Froling (11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) helped Illawarra defeat Tasmania 103-70, with Harvey (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Peterson (20 points and 3 assists) leading the Hawks while Josh Bannan (17 points) was Tasmania’s best as Illawarra finished eighth with a 13-20 record.

Sam Froling currently plays for the Illawarra Hawks and has played 191 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists since entering the league in 2019.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Illawarra Hawks – 3 Year Deal (2025-28)