Sam Froling signs new three-year deal with Hawks

The Illawarra Hawks are excited to announce the landmark re-signing of big man Sam Froling to a new three-year deal.

The deal, confirmed on Friday, will keep him at the Hawks until the end of the NBL25 and sees him join the club's exciting core of Tyler Harvey, Akoldah Gak and Alex Mudronja signed on for next year.

"I'm super excited to have my future secure - my intentions were always to stay with the Hawks, so it's great to have it all sorted," Townsville product Sam Froling said.

"I've loved my whole time here, with everything falling into place, and I feel like we're building something special here with Goorj and this group.

"I can't wait to keep working hard and help deliver this club its second championship."

Sam comes from a strong Australian basketball pedigree, with his mother Jenny and father Shane both playing professionally in the WNBL and NBL respectively.

While his three siblings Harry (who he plays alongside at the Hawks), Keely (Sydney Uni Flames) and Alicia (Bendigo Spirit) all are currently plying their trades around the country.

"Heading into this season, we had all intentions of bringing Sam back, so to get it done before the end of the year is super exciting for all involved," said Hawks coach Brian Goorjian, who coached Shane Froling at the Nunawading Spectres.

"To me, he's one of the cornerstones of this club and one we intend to build around for years to come, along with players such as Tyler Harvey - not to mention he's a tremendous individual within the Illawarra community.

"Getting someone of his calibre to commit long-term to this club and city highlights the belief he has in this project.

"He's played all his professional career here and we hope to have him here, part of our Hawks, for the rest of it - I can't speak highly enough of how important this signing is for us."

Since joining the foundation club in 2019, the former Creighton Bluejay has made huge strides as a player, so much so, he was named the NBL's Most Improved Player in NBL21 -  thanks to averages of 11.53 points, 7.06 rebounds and 1.28 blocks.

Then this season, in 28.06 minutes per game, the 22-year-old is averaging career highs in rebounds (8.67), assists (1.87) and steals (0.53).

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Hawks co-owner and president Dorry Kordahi, like everyone at the Wollongong-based club, is thrilled to have Froling extend his stay.

"We're excited to have Sam sign on with us for another three years, as we feel he's an integral part of this group moving forward," Kordahi said.

"Sam has improved in each of his three seasons here and having seen how hard he works, I'm confident his best days are well and truly in front of him - which is no doubt music to the ears of all Hawks fans.

"Him committing his future to our club is a show of confidence that he believes in our direction and stability as a franchise, not to mention what we want to achieve on the court in the coming years.

"As we continue to build the success of this club, re-signing players on the rise like Sam is an important step to changing the culture and view of how the club is perceived around the league."

Froling and his Hawks take on the Adelaide 36ers from 7.30pm AEDT Friday, February 25 at the WIN Entertainment Centre.