Sam Froling Named Illawarra Hawks NBL23 MVP

Illawarra Hawks Co-Captain Sam Froling has won the Club's Most Valuable Player Award for the 2022/2023 NBL season.
 
The award caps off a stellar individual season for Froling playing in all 28 home and away fixtures and averaging 14 points and eight rebounds per game. 
 
The Hawks big man was also named a Co-Captain of the club in NBL23, was a finalist in the NBL's next-generation award, and represented the Boomers in several FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
 
Hawks coach Jacob Jackomas said Froling was a worthy recipient of the award.
 
"We asked a lot of Sam this season, and he has embraced every challenge." 
 
"It was clear from the outset that his national duties had unlocked a newfound aggressiveness and confidence to his game, and the added responsibility at both ends of the floor has seen him take another leap in NBL23."
 
"Sam is a big part of what we are building here as an organisation, and we are thrilled with his progress. Tonight's award is recognition for his season and continued development as one of the league's premier big men."
 
Wani Swaka Lo Buluk was recognised as the best defensive player in his first season with the Hawks. Swaka Lo Buluk shared his time between the starting line-up and the sixth-man role during his inaugural Hawks campaign and was regularly called upon to contain the opposition's most potent offensive weapons.
 
"Wani joined the organisation with a reputation of being one of the better on-ball defenders in the league, and he has more than lived up to that in year one." Said Jackomas
 
"We have loved Wani's work ethic, ability to adapt his role from night to night and his continued improvements on the offensive side of the ball."
 
"We expect Wani to take another leap next season and establish himself as an important member of the squad for seasons to come."
 
Other award winners include –

-Member's Choice Award – Tyler Harvey

-Player's Player – Akoldah Gak

-Community Award – Dan Grida

The Hawks off-season has begun in earnest with the re-signing of import guard Justin Robinson who will join a returning core that includes Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Dan Grida.