NBL champions eye inspirational Harry Froling comeback following one-punch attack

Harry Froling is on the cusp of a remarkable NBL comeback, less than two years after being told he’d never play basketball again following a horrific one-punch attack. And his championship-winning brother, Sam, could play a key role in his return.

Harry Froling is on the cusp of a remarkable NBL comeback, less than two years after being told he’d never play basketball again following a horrific one-punch attack.

That’s the inspirational scenario facing Froling amid revelations the reigning champion Illawarra Hawks are interested in reviving the big man’s NBL career.

Code Sports understands the Hawks are weighing up signing the ex-Bullet as an injury replacement for his younger brother Sam, who is set to be sidelined for the majority of NBL26 with an Achilles injury.

If the signing comes to fruition it would cap off an incredible comeback for Froling following his life-threatening one-punch attack in Wollongong in 2023.

The former NBL Rookie of the Year was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain, prompting doctors to declare his career was over after lifesaving surgery.

READ MORE: ‘Meant to be dead’: Australian sport’s most remarkable comeback

Harry Froling could be on his way back to the NBL, two years after being told he’d never play again. Picture: Liam Kidston

Melbourne get the win in Harry Froling's first game. Can't recall the Tigers having a legit C for years. #NBL1pic.twitter.com/JR01h2O9VA

— Jordan McCallum (@jordanmcnbl) May 26, 2025

Froling dropped into a state of depression, piling on weight as he sat on the couch at home feeling sorry for himself.

He showcased impressive resilience to fight back from the head injury and return to basketball this year via a stint with the Taranaki Airs in the NZNBL.

Froling averaged 19.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and shot 30 per cent from deep on nearly six attempts per game in 10 matches before parting ways with the Airs last month.

Two weeks ago, he penned a deal to play NBL1 with the Melbourne Tigers and has excelled in his two games thus far.

Froling is averaging 27.50 points and 11.50 rebounds, while he is shooting an efficient 54.05 per cent from the field.

The 27-year-old has put himself in a strong position to secure an NBL contract and return to the league for the first time since playing for Brisbane in 2023.

Illawarra isn’t the only club to express interest in Froling.

Code Sports understands Melbourne United, Cairns Taipans and the Adelaide 36ers are also monitoring his progress for a potential deal.

Harry Frolling bears the scars of surgery to repair his fractured skull and alleviate bleeding on the brain. Picture: Shane Froling/Twitter

Harry’s brother Sam Froling won the NBL Championship with the Hawks, but suffered a serious Achilles injury in the process. Picture: Getty Images

No matter who he signs with for NBL26, it’s a remarkable comeback given he wasn’t expected to play basketball ever again.

Froling detailed the depths he dropped to in an exclusive interview with this masthead last December.

His weight ballooned to 158kg, he had no income, a six-month wait to process the disability pension and his self-esteem was at rock bottom.

Harry Froling last played in the NBL in 2023, when he played for the Bullets. Picture: Getty Images

‘Meant to die’: Inside Harry Froling’s inspiring recovery from a one-punch attack that has him eyeing a remarkable comeback to basketball after repeatedly dodging death, overcoming depression and being told he'd never play again.
READ: @codebballauhttps://t.co/UgzB4Ssucjpic.twitter.com/mdONn8uK64

— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) November 30, 2024

“It’s definitely the darkest place I’ve ever been in,” Froling recalled.

“I wouldn’t say I was suicidal, but I definitely had thoughts where I thought it would be easier not to go through this and to not be here.

“I did have times when I thought, ‘f*** this, I don’t want to be here, this is s**t and I’d rather not be around’.

“I was depressed and I got to the point where I was damaging my relationships with people. I was having issues with mum and dad, relatives and friends. I was just a bad person to be around.

“I was the victim, but I also had that victim’s mentality. It just got to the point where I had to start to look in the mirror.”