17
Mar
Inspirational
Harry Froling is back and he wants to play in the NBL
Harry Froling of the Bullets laughs during warm-ups of the round 13 NBL match between Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on December 29, 2022 in Adelaide. Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images
Harry Froling's remarkable journey from life-threatening injury to basketball comeback
- Harry Froling was NBL Rookie of the Year with Adelaide 36ers
- He survived life-threatening brain injury after one-punch attack
- He made his professional basketball comeback after doctors said he'd never play again
Harry Froling embodies resilience.
The 26-year-old Australian centre refused to accept medical opinions that his basketball career was over after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
"I do plan on being hopefully back in the NBL next season," Froling told the ABC.
Froling made his return on Sunday, March 16, 2025 with the Taranaki Airs in New Zealand. And he was outstanding. Froling had 32 points and 12 rebounds in 37 minutes on 11-from-20 from the field.
His comeback represents more than just a return to sport — it's a testament to human resilience and the refusal to let others define what's possible.
As he puts it, "I think I've become a better person and I think I'll be able to come back better than I ever was."
Key Details
Name: Harry Froling
Age: 26
Team(s): Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers, Illawarra Hawks
Position: Centre
Size: 210cm
Weight: 160kg (at heaviest post-injury)
Career
Harry Froling's basketball journey began as a child, shooting hoops until darkness fell in Townsville, where he grew up in Australia's most prominent basketball family. His parents, Shane and Jenny, were both professional players, and all four Froling children — twins Alicia and Keely, Harry, and Sam — would eventually play professionally. This foundation provided Harry with both the genes and the environment to excel in the sport.
After a stint in American college basketball with Southern Methodist University (SMU), Froling returned to Australia to launch his professional career at just 20 years old. His impact was immediate, winning the NBL's Rookie of the Year award with the Adelaide 36ers in his debut season.
This early success created high expectations and led to a pursuit of NBA opportunities before he settled back into the Australian league.
Over five years, Froling played 154 NBL games for three clubs — Adelaide 36ers, Illawarra Hawks, and Brisbane Bullets. His career had its ups and downs, but by the 2022-23 season with Brisbane, he was finding strong form again.
On January 20, 2023, Froling played one of his best games of the season against his brother Sam's team, the Illawarra Hawks. No one could have predicted it would be his last professional game for more than two years.
Two days after that game, Froling was the victim of a vicious one-punch attack while out in Wollongong. The assault left him with a life-threatening brain bleed and skull fracture, requiring emergency surgery where doctors removed a 10cm by 10cm piece of his skull. With three plates now in his head and 37 staples from the procedure, Froling faced the toughest challenge of his life — one that went far beyond basketball.
Playing Style
Harry Froling was often described as a "unicorn" in basketball circles — a rare combination of size and skill that made him difficult to match up against. Standing at 210cm, he possessed the traditional centre's ability to play in the post, but complemented this with guard-like shooting and ball handling. This versatility allowed him to score from various positions on the court, making him an offensive threat both inside and outside.
What set Froling apart during his initial NBL career was his basketball IQ and vision. His father Shane noted that "time slowed down for him" — a quality evident in Harry's decision-making and scoring ability. Before his injury, Froling had demonstrated the potential to become one of the league's most dynamic big men, with the skill set that modern basketball increasingly demands from centres.
Five Fast Facts
- Harry comes from Australia's premier basketball family, with parents Shane and Jenny and siblings Alicia, Keely and Sam all playing professionally
- He won the NBL Rookie of the Year award in his first professional season with the Adelaide 36ers
- Doctors told Froling he would never play basketball again after his traumatic brain injury
- During his recovery, Harry's weight increased to nearly 160kg as he battled depression
- After 786 days away from professional basketball, Froling signed with the Taranaki Airs in New Zealand to begin his comeback
Career Highlights Timeline
2016: Began college basketball career at Southern Methodist University (SMU)
2018: Returned to Australia and joined the Adelaide 36ers
2019: Won NBL Rookie of the Year in his debut professional season
2019-2022: Played for multiple NBL teams including Adelaide, Illawarra, and Brisbane
2023 (January): Suffered life-threatening brain injury from one-punch attack after a game in Wollongong
2025 (March): Made professional basketball comeback with Taranaki Airs in New Zealand NBL, 786 days after his last professional game
Froling's journey from the brink of death to returning to professional basketball exemplifies extraordinary determination.
After being told he would never play again following a traumatic brain injury that required part of his skull to be removed, Froling fought through physical and mental challenges, including gaining weight and battling depression during his recovery.
And now he's back and basketball is better for it.
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