Harry Froling

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Harry Froling

| image = Harry Froling (cropped).jpg

| caption = Froling with Spójnia Stargard in 2020

| position = Centre

| height_cm = 210

| weight_kg = 123

| league = NZNBL

| team = Taranaki Airs

| number = 11

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1998|4|20}}

| birth_place = Townsville, Queensland, Australia

| high_school = Pimlico State
(Townsville, Queensland)

| college =

SMU (2016–2017)
Marquette (2017–2018)

| draft_year = 2019

| career_start = 2014–2023

| career_end =

| years1 = 2014–2015

| team1 = BA Centre of Excellence

| years2 = 2015–2016

| team2 = Townsville Heat

| years3 = 2015–2016

| team3 = Townsville Crocodiles

| years4 = 2018

| team4 = Townsville Heat

| years5 = 2018–2020

| team5 = Adelaide 36ers

| years6 = 2019

| team6 = Southern Huskies

| years7 = 2020

| team7 = Spójnia Stargard

| years8 = 2020

| team8 = RedCity Roar

| years9 = 2020–2021

| team9 = Brisbane Bullets

| years10 = 2021

| team10 = Mackay Meteors

| years11 = 2021–2022

| team11 = Illawarra Hawks

| years12 = 2022

| team12 = Hobart Chargers

| years13 = 2022–2023

| team13 = Brisbane Bullets

| years14 = 2025–present

| team14 = Taranaki Airs

| highlights =

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia}}

}}

Harrison Michael Froling (born 20 April 1998) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Taranaki Airs of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He had a two-year college basketball career in the United States playing for the SMU Mustangs (2016–17) and the Marquette Golden Eagles (2017–18). In 2018, he joined the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL) and earned NBL Rookie of the Year honours for the 2018–19 season. Froling's career was halted for two years when he suffered brain injuries after an assault in 2023.

Early life and career

Froling was born in Townsville, Queensland,{{cite web |title=Harry Froling |url=http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/109828/sid/6224/tid/239/tid2//_/2014_FIBA_U17_World_Championship_for_Men/index.html |website=fiba.com |access-date=8 March 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919232812/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/player/p/pid/109828/sid/6224/tid/239/tid2//_/2014_FIBA_U17_World_Championship_for_Men/index.html |archive-date=19 September 2015}} where he attended Pimlico State High School.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/PimlicoSHS/posts/congratulations-to-former-pimlico-student-harry-froling-who-was-recently-named-t/771582986536941/|title=Congratulations to former Pimlico student Harry Froling who was recently named the NBL's Rookie of the Year.|work=facebook.com/PimlicoSHS|date=21 February 2019|accessdate=15 May 2020}} In 2014, he moved to Canberra to attend the Australian Institute of Sport{{cite web|url=https://the-riotact.com/daramalan-college-and-lake-ginninderra-college-best-in-canberra/127335|title=Daramalan College and Lake Ginninderra College best in Canberra|work=the-riotact.com|date=5 June 2014|accessdate=15 May 2020}} and played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the SEABL.{{cite web|url=http://www.aussiehoopla.com/ais-basketball-players/|title=HOW AIS BASKETBALL PLAYERS ARE AMONG WORLD'S ELITE|work=aussiehoopla.com|date=31 March 2019|accessdate=15 May 2020}} In 2015, he split his time between the BA Centre of Excellence in the SEABL and the Townsville Heat in the QBL.{{cite web |title=Harrison Froling, Basketball Player, News, Stats - australiabasket |url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Harrison-Froling/328729 |website=Eurobasket LLC |access-date=8 March 2025 |url-access=subscription}}

Froling joined the Townsville Crocodiles of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2015–16 season,{{cite web|last=O'Neil|first=Rohan|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/townsville-basketball-start-commits-to-smu-for-college-career/news-story/d30fc9eb5f2fdefa189ec3b3e847bce3|title=Townsville basketball star commits to SMU for college career|work=townsvillebulletin.com.au|date=26 January 2016|accessdate=15 May 2020}} playing nine games as an injury replacement for Luke Schenscher.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/article/froling-signs-two-year-deal-with-sixers|title=Froling signs two-year deal with Sixers|work=adelaide36ers.com|date=23 April 2018|accessdate=15 May 2020}} Following the NBL season, he returned to the Heat for the 2016 QBL season.

College career

Froling moved to the United States to play college basketball for the SMU Mustangs in the 2016–17 season. However, he left the team in December 2016 and transferred to Marquette in January 2017.{{cite web|last=Velazquez|first=Matt|url=https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/sports/college/marquette/2017/01/10/smu-transfer-harry-froling-picks-marquette/96388088/|title=SMU transfer Harry Froling picks Marquette|work=fdlreporter.com|date=10 January 2017|accessdate=15 May 2020}} In 10 games for the Mustangs, he averaged 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/harry-froling-1.html|title=Harry Froling College Stats|work=sports-reference.com|accessdate=15 May 2020}}

In the 2017–18 season, Froling played 20 games for the Marquette Golden Eagles. He was unable to debut until mid-December due to NCAA transfer rules.{{cite web|url=https://gomarquette.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/harry-froling/648|title=Harry Froling|work=gomarquette.com|accessdate=15 May 2020}} He averaged 2.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game.

Professional career

After returning to Townsville and helping the Heat win the 2018 QBL championship, Froling joined the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/young-big-man-harry-froling-to-join-adelaide-36ers/news-story/4d514e063f86469eaf2451bc83dd69ec|title=Young big man Harry Froling to join Adelaide 36ers|website=Herald Sun|accessdate=2018-11-10}} In the 2018–19 season, he won the NBL Rookie of the Year.{{cite web|last=Metallinos|first=Nick|url=http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/26695886/harry-froling-now-confident-nba-capabilities|title=Harry Froling now confident of NBA capabilities|work=ESPN.com.au|date=8 May 2019|accessdate=15 May 2020}}

In 2019, Froling had a short stint with the Southern Huskies of the New Zealand NBL.{{cite web|last=Mathieson|first=Andrew|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6247862/huskies-keep-the-ball-froling-on-amid-huge-silverdome-win/|title=Southern Huskies take big win over Taranaki Mountaineers in Harry Froling's debut|work=examiner.com.au|date=29 June 2019|accessdate=15 May 2020}}

Froling returned to the 36ers for the 2019–20 NBL season.{{cite web|last=Winter|first=Brad|url=https://pickandroll.com.au/harry-froling-might-be-the-nbls-most-fascinating-free-agent-in-2020/|title=Harry Froling might be the NBL's most fascinating free agent in 2020|work=pickandroll.com.au|date=6 April 2020|accessdate=15 May 2020}} Following the NBL season, he moved to Poland to play for Spójnia Stargard{{cite web |title=Harry Froling agrees to deal with PGE Spojnia Stargard |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/harry-froling-agrees-to-deal-with-pge-spojnia-stargard/ |website=Sportando |accessdate=3 March 2020 |date=28 January 2020}} and later played in the Queensland State League (QSL) for the RedCity Roar.{{cite web|url=https://basketballqld.com.au/2020-qsl-teams-redcity-roar/|title=2020 QSL Teams – RedCity Roar|work=basketballqld.com.au|accessdate=13 November 2020}}

On 17 July 2020, Froling signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2020–21 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-sign-harry-froling|title=Bullets Sign Harry Froling|work=NBL.com.au|date=17 July 2020|accessdate=17 July 2020}} Following the NBL season, he joined the Mackay Meteors of the NBL1 North for the 2021 NBL1 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mackaybasketball.com/2021-roster-tracker|title=2021 NBL1 North Roster Tracker|work=mackaybasketball.com|accessdate=24 July 2021}}

On 23 July 2021, Froling signed with the Illawarra Hawks, teaming up with his brother Sam for the 2021–22 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.hawks.com.au/news/harry-froling-joins-brother-sam-at-the-illawarra-hawks|title=Harry Froling joins brother Sam at the Illawarra Hawks|work=Hawks.com.au|date=23 July 2021|accessdate=23 July 2021}} On 24 January 2022, he scored a career-high 27 points with eight 3-pointers in a 100–89 win over the 36ers.{{cite web|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/harrys-eight-threes-lead-hawks-to-bounce-back-win|title=Harry's Eight Threes Lead Hawks to Bounce Back Win|work=NBL.com.au|date=24 January 2022|accessdate=24 January 2022}}

Froling joined the Hobart Chargers of the NBL1 South for the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/news/harry-froling-makes-hobart-move|title=Harry Froling makes Hobart move|work=NBL1.com.au|date=23 February 2022|accessdate=24 February 2022}}

On 28 May 2022, Froling signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2022–23 NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/harry-froling-returns-to-brisbane-in-nbl23|title=Harry Froling returns to Brisbane in NBL23|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|date=28 May 2022|access-date=24 January 2023}} On 22 January 2023, he was hospitalised with a serious head injury after getting knocked unconscious during a night out in Wollongong. He discharged himself later that morning before flying back to Brisbane where he was re-admitted to hospital and underwent brain surgery.{{cite web|last=Fernandez|first=Tim|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-24/nbl-harry-froling-knocked-unconscious-night-out-wollongong/101887864|title=NBL player Harry Froling recovering from 'alleged assault' during Wollongong night out|work=abc.net.au|date=24 January 2023|access-date=24 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=Bullets' Froling hit in alleged one punch attack |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/35513643/nbl-brisbane-bullets-harry-froling-victim-alleged-one-punch-attack-wollongong |website=ESPN |access-date=24 January 2023 |date=24 January 2023}} He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/club-statement-11-94|title=Club Statement|work=brisbanebullets.com.au|date=24 January 2023|access-date=24 January 2023}} On 24 January, a 19-year-old man turned himself into police and was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm and affray.{{cite web |last1=Fernandez |first1=Tim |title=Teenager bailed over alleged one-punch attack on NBL star Harry Froling outside nightclub |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-25/teenager-bailed-over-alleged-one-punch-attack-harry-froling-nbl/101891296 |website=ABC |access-date=25 January 2023 |date=25 January 2023}} On 23 August 2024, the perpetrator was sentenced to two years and seven months in jail.{{cite web |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=Harry Froling dreaming of NBL return after 'losing my whole life' |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/40959828/harry-froling-dreaming-nbl-return-losing-my-whole-life |website=ESPN |access-date=24 August 2024 |date=23 August 2024}}

Froling had been set to join the Ipswich Force for the 2023 NBL1 North season.{{cite web |title=The Force Finds Froling |url=https://www.facebook.com/ipswichbasketballassociation/posts/pfbid0zsaNfvVGguBeyoDHN8KEzzsv3SxufSJLNs1qrEuTtuAFZXwPq9pSKAbKFcnhzu3Vl |work=facebook.com/ipswichbasketballassociation |access-date=7 March 2023 |date=7 November 2022}} The Bullets declined the team option on Froling's contract for the 2023–24 season and he subsequently became a free agent.{{cite web |title=Bullets deny Harry Froling claims, offer support |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/38396170/nbl-brisbane-bullets-deny-harry-froling-claims-offer-support |website=ESPN |access-date=6 October 2023 |date=14 September 2023}} In May 2023, it was revealed that Froling had not been cleared for physical activity and could potentially not play competitive basketball again.{{cite web |last1=Logue |first1=Matt |title=NBL 2023: Harry Froling’s ray of hope for return as he faces long road back from serious head injuries |url=https://www.codesports.com.au/basketball/nbl-2023-harry-frolings-ray-of-hope-for-return-as-he-faces-long-road-back-from-serious-head-injuries/news-story/753c3ec1f478d645d57d68cf1b417509 |website=CODE Sports |access-date=12 July 2023 |date=23 May 2023}} In an August 2024 interview, Froling revealed that he continued to experience headaches, insomnia, amnesia and post-traumatic stress disorder because of the assault. He also stated that he wanted to return to playing basketball and was undergoing rehabilitation with the assistance of the Mackay Meteors.

Froling initially signed with the Southern Districts Spartans for the 2025 NBL1 North season,{{cite news |last1=Logue |first1=Matt |title=Former NBL star and one-punch victim Harry Froling signs with Southern Districts Spartans |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/former-nbl-star-and-onepunch-victim-harry-froling-signs-with-southern-districts-spartans/news-story/3e72dbebbecc2bb2d77f1a9b3a6bb0c0?amp |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=heraldsun.com.au |date=22 January 2025}} but on 10 March he signed with the Taranaki Airs for the 2025 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite news |title=The Taranaki Airs are thrilled to announce the signing of Harry Froling! |url=https://www.facebook.com/TaranakiBasketball/posts/pfbid02q9orpLQ8c3wfe5ymYbcpLrmHfKpT9eexPB4fdv5QgJ3zVWjqEzoWxKygu5KJhgvQl |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=facebook.com/TaranakiBasketball |date=10 March 2025}}

National team career

Froling played for Australia at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Under-16 Championship, 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship, and 2014 FIBA Oceania Under-18 Championship. He debuted for the Boomers in 2017 during the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.{{cite web |title=Harrison Froling (Australia) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age {{!}} FIBA Basketball |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/205889-harrison-froling |website=www.fiba.basketball |access-date=8 March 2025 |language=en |date=7 March 2025}}

Personal life

Froling is the son of Shane and Jenny Froling, and has two older twin sisters, Alicia and Keely, and a younger brother Sam.{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Chris|url=https://nbl.com.au/news/article/harry-proud-to-continue-froling-legacy-with-sixers|title=Harry Proud to Continue Froling Legacy with Sixers|work=NBL.com.au|date=26 June 2018|accessdate=15 May 2020}}