Illawarra Hawks: Froling drafting up own NBA plan

The 19-year-old seven-footer joined the club this season after a one-and-done freshman campaign with Creighton University.

He will be entering the same 2020 Draft as high profile teammate LaMelo Ball but, having signed a three-year deal with the Hawks, he's willing to play the long game in his NBA push.

"I'm going to go in [next] years' Draft, the same one as Melo," Froling said.

"I've got to go do what I can and play well on the court, that's all I can do to get drafted. I can't do much else.

"It's just whether those NBA guys notice or not. It's not the be-all and end-all for me, there's other avenues to pursue to get in the NBA.

"It's a stepping stone along the road, if I get to do it cool, if I don't I move forward. I think I'm playing well and I think I'm doing whatever I can in the time I'm out there. Hopefully I can keep it going."

Largely drip-fed floor time over the opening three games, Froling has emerged as key member of coach Matt Flinn's second unit - averaging nine points in 16 minutes over the last four games.

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Fluctuating minutes are set to continue as Flinn looks to put together a 12-deep roster puzzle and Froling says chasing wins overrides any personal ambitions.

"If we're winning games and I'm playing zero minutes I'm a happy man," he said.

"I don't want to go out and play 40 and have us lose by 40 every game. I knew I could compete in this league and I know it's tough it is for Flinny.

"It's his discretion and I'm happy to do whatever he needs from me but I think I've found my place in the rotation now.

"Our mindset [as second unit] is just to come in every game whenever we get minutes, go hard and do everything we can to get us back in the game, get us ahead or keep us ahead, whatever the case may be.

"That's our collective mindset and I just want to take advantage of the minutes I get and do what I can when I get out there."

No doubt the best indication of the 19-year-old's ability came in a breakout 12-point, five-rebound and three-assist performance against Adelaide in round four.

Having engaged in some verbal sparring with older brother Harry in the lead-up, he says he knew he had to to turn it on.

"There was a bit of a war of words on social media so I knew I had to back it up otherwise I would never hear the end of it," Froling said.

"That was my motivation going in, don't give him any more motivation to talk smack to me. I did all right, he still had more points than me though, the bastard."

They'll meet again in round 12 but Froling's top priority is arresting a 1-6 start against Brisbane in Canberra on Sunday.

Like his coach, Froling believes his side turned a corner despite a tight loss to Perth in their last outing.

"We got challenged by Flinny and I think we stepped up to that challenge," Froling said.

"I think we had to prove to ourselves that we can compete, we can go hard with these teams and we can win games.

"Unfortunately we didn't win on Sunday but, going forward, if we put together performances like that I'm sure we'll start to string some wins together."