Aussie basketball star performs amazing feat after being told he’d never play again after a coward punch shattered his skull

Against all expectations, former NBL player Harry Froling has performed an amazing feat after being told he’d never play basketball again following a coward punch attack which shattered his skull.

Froling was knocked out cold outside a Wollongong nightclub in a sickening one-punch assault in January 2023.

That vicious attack left him requiring surgery for a fractured skull and brain bleed and ended his basketball career with the Brisbane Bullets.

Froling was told by doctors that his basketball days were over, but the 27-year-old is determined to prove doctors wrong.

Now playing for Melbourne in NBL1, Froling put on a masterclass over the weekend, scoring 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds during his side’s 2 point victory over Casey.

It’s an incredible achievement considering the former NBL Rookie of the Year hasn’t played basketball since January 2023.

Harry Froling (pictured in 2022) scored 28 points and grabbed 14 rebounds during his sides 2 point victory over Casey

After a sickening one-punch attack, Froling was told he would never play basketball again

Froling, who battled both depression and a tough physical recovery, was cleared to play late last year.

‘It’s changed my entire outlook on life,’ he told News Corp.

‘My body no longer hurts and I’m back training.

‘I’m not far off. I could roll up and play NBL1 now if the season started today. I’m not NBL ready, but I do plan on being ready for NBL1 in May.

‘It has been a long journey, but I’m proud of myself for fighting to reach this point.’

The man behind the attack, Nathan Mesinez, was sentenced to two years and seven months in jail a non-parole period of 16 months at Wollongong District Court in August 2024.

Afterwards, Froling released vision of the attack and said he was glad he could move on, after unfounded accusations that he had instigated the fight.

The vision clearly shows Froling never raised his hands or acted as an aggressor in any way, even after he had been shoved by an unknown Wollongong woman.

The talented 27-year-old is determined to play in the NBL again someday

The former NBL Rookie of the Year says he’s proud of himself for getting this far

‘I’m happy it’s finally over,’ Froling told ESPN at the time.

‘It’s been a long and outstretched process, not knowing anything because I don’t have memory of the night of the incident,’ Froling continued.

‘I’d been hearing from third parties, accusations, and different things that happened throughout the night, and then now seeing the true facts of what happened, it’s definitely a relief, and knowing I didn’t do anything that warrants getting king hit.’

Froling also revealed that associates of Mesinez had continued to threaten him during the recovery period and while the matter was before the court.

‘Despite the barrage of messages and threats I have been receiving by his family and friends, here’s the truth,’ he posted on social media platform X with the vision of the assault.

‘All evidence is public, I was never aggressive, and I didn’t respond to his girlfriend pushing me. I was never in trouble or under investigation for anything

‘The victim blaming ends here. Point blank. The offender also got in a fight earlier in the night, and was obviously out to cause trouble.

‘All evidence is publicly available, and someone being tall and ‘annoying’ isn’t a reason to coward punch them.’