Harry Froling in hospital as teen charged over alleged assault of NBL player
A 19-year-old man has been charged by NSW Police after the incident involving the Brisbane Bullets player.
Brisbane forward Harry Froling will miss the rest of the NBL season after a suspected punch to the head left him unconscious on a Wollongong street. Froling remains in hospital in Brisbane with head injuries.
He is in a stable condition after the incident, which occurred about 2am on Sunday after the Bullets' defeat of the Hawks on Saturday. The 24-year-old discharged himself from Wollongong Hospital on Sunday morning to catch a flight back to Brisbane with the team, before he reported to Prince Charles Hospital with continued head soreness.
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Scans then reportedly confirmed a fractured skull and bleed on the brain that required surgery.
A teenager has been arrested over an alleged one punch attack in Wollongong which landed a basketball player in hospital. Rising @NBL star Harry Froling had been out celebrating a win when he was hit and has since had to undergo brain surgery. https://t.co/TWh1KQh9q4 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/jV6vJgKwbo
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) January 24, 2023
NSW Police said in a statement their investigation suggests Froling was punched in the head and fell to the ground. A 19-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after turning himself in at Wollongong's police station.
NBL fans react to news about Harry Froling
The Bullets, who are out of finals contention, on Tuesday released a statement confirming Froling will miss the team's final three games of the season. The club declined to comment further on Froling's decision to fly home with the team.
"The Brisbane Bullets are working closely with NSW Police and NBL integrity unit as they investigate the circumstances surrounding an alleged assault on Harry Froling," the Bullets said in a statement. "As an investigation is under way, the club is not in a position to make any further comment, other than to say the players, coaches and staff all send their well wishes to Harry and his family."
Froling is from Townsville and played with the Hawks, where his younger brother Sam now plays, last NBL season. He won the NBL's 2019 rookie of the year award and recently notched 150 games in the league.
Brisbane have won their past three games to improve to 8-17 in a horror season that included a 49-point loss to Sydney this month. James Duncan was also axed as coach last year.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with Harry Froling and his family as he receives hospital treatment for a skull fracture and brain bleed after being coward punched on the weekend 🙏#AussieHoops #NBL23 pic.twitter.com/2WMa3fp6sh
— The Pick and Roll 🇦🇺🏀 (@PickandRollAU) January 24, 2023
Horrible news about Harry Froling.
My thoughts instantly go to Shane, Jen, Keely, Alicia and Sam.
Let’s hope he gets out of this okay and the punishment fits the crime of the accused because no one deserves this and no family should have to go through it.
#🙏🏼Harry— mark worthington (@mwortho33) January 24, 2023
This is absolutely horrible. Thoughts are with you, @HarryFroling… and with the whole Froling family. Best wishes on a full and speedy recovery. https://t.co/rYYuJkvOto
— Liam Santamaria (@Liam_Santa) January 24, 2023
This is disgusting. All best with recovery @BrisbaneBullets Harry. Make sure charges come quickly @nswpolice.
— Darren Ferguson (@DarrenF68995283) January 24, 2023
Get well soon H. @BrisbaneBullets
— Crash💥 (@MacMouth) January 24, 2023
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