Setback fuels Sam’s fire

The professional sporting landscape can often be a revolving door for fans of teams, with players coming and going throughout their careers to find their next big deal.

But for Sam Froling, one of Australia’s most prominent local talents, he’s found a home in the small coastal city of Wollongong.

“I’ve fallen in love with the city ... I really enjoy my time here and it was really hard to see me playing anywhere else,” Froling told the NBL App.

At one point, the Illawarra Hawks big man was set to be one of the hottest free agents by season’s end, with many teams showing interest in him.

But the 25-year-old is staying put, signing a new three-year deal that will see him remain at the club through the first nine years of his professional career.

“It’s funny ... my plan when I left college was to sign my first professional contract and then go on to bigger and better things,” he said. “Whether that was overseas or the NBA.

“But then after each year, when I felt I improved every season, I realised how far behind I was with all that NBA stuff at the time.”

A standout junior at the national level, Froling received multiple offers from high-profile Division 1 NCAA programs in 2018, before ultimately joining the Creighton Bluejays.

Upon leaving the program after one season, he signed with the Illawarra Hawks in 2019, and the rest is history.

“In my head, it was probably the confidence of a young kid who hadn’t had that real professional experience yet,” he said of his mindset following his early seasons.

“I was thinking to myself that I’d be in the NBA in two years, I’m not going to stay in Wollongong. And after each year when I would get a little better, I realised I was probably a little behind the eight ball in terms of where I want to get to.

“But I had to just keep chipping away to get to where I am today.”

Froling and the Hawks reached the pinnacle of success this past season, becoming champions for just the club’s second time in their long history.

Unfortunately for him, he was cheering from the sidelines during the pivotal Game 5, after suffering a heartbreaking Achilles injury in Game 4.

“I think it was harder to sit on the sidelines than to be playing, to be honest,” he said with a laugh.

“When you’re playing, you’re so caught up in the moment and there’s stuff you can actively do to help the team.

“Sitting on the sidelines was so stressful. I was yelling stuff all game and trying to help the guys out, but not being able to physically do anything was stressing me.”

While he may not have been on the court for the crowning moment, Froling was a vital piece to the Hawks’ success this past season, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game and being selected to the All-NBL Second Team.

“Winning the championship ... it makes me live with the injury a little more, because I knew we got the job done,” he added.

“To be able to reward the town, too, it was special because they come out in droves.

“They’ve sat through the lows with us and now look ... there’s been a non-stop buzz around the town since. It’s just so special.”

Froling understands the magnitude of securing his future, as he prepares for a long road back from injury.

“I feel it was my best year just gone,” he said.

“I feel like the club is rewarding me and trusting me to come back better than ever.

“For them to show that faith in me, it just drives me so much more to get back to my best and then get even better.”

Froling is reportedly set to return to action in January, which would have him back on the court for the reigning champions at the pointy end of their NBL26 campaign.

“I’m taking it day by day currently ... with eyes on the back end of next season,” he said.

“Rehab is going really well so far. I’m still in a boot and on crutches, but I’ve started some weight-bearing stuff and small movement. But we’re super happy with where I’m at right now.”

As he continues this journey back, the young star admits he still has many dreams left to achieve on both a personal and team level.

“I might not be where I thought I was originally going to be at this point in my career,” he said.

“Obviously, if the NBA called, that’s where I’d love to go.

“But in terms of where I’m at right now, I love being in Wollongong. It’s been so special and I’m excited for it all.”