Froling reflects on 200-game milestone

On Tuesday night, Sydney Flames' Keely Froling became just the 99th player in WNBL history to chalk up 200 games in the competition.

Although her Flames lost gallantly to the Fire during the Round 11 fixture, the fixture, back in her hometown of Townsville, gave the 29-year-old the chance to reflect on the incredible achievement.

"Playing 200 games is a really special [achievement]," Froling said.

"Obviously I've been around the league for a while now but to reach a milestone like this has given me the chance to reflect on my career, which is something I don't do that often.

"[During that time] I've changed a lot in some aspects and not so much in others. When I first came into the league, I wasn't ready physically but that has grown over the years, as has my leadership and other parts of my game.

"[Making the night even more special] was the fact that all my friends and family from back home were there to celebrate it with me. I feel like I've changed a lot but also at the same time not really that much like obviously when I first came into the league physically I definitely wasn't ready and then I feel like I've grown as a leader as a person and obviously my game has grown as well."

Born in Townsville, Froling grew up playing alongside twin sister Alicia (who now plays for the Townsville Fire) for the Flames.

After representing Queensland North on numerous occasions as a junior, the forward was selected to play for Australia at the 2011 Under 16 FIBA Oceania Championships, where she helped her side win gold.

Following this, Froling helped Australia finish fifth at the Under 17s World Championships in Amsterdam and steered the Gems (Australian Under 19s side) to two bronze medals at the junior world champs in Lithuania and Russia.

During this time, Froling also attended the Centre of Excellence in Canberra and signed a development player contract with her hometown Townsville Fire, who she played for from 2011-14.

Froling then spent two seasons at Dallas' Southern Methodist University, where she played 49 games.

She then penned a deal with the UC Capitals in the WNBL in 2016 and stayed in the Nation's Capital until 2020.

During this time, she helped the club win back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2020.

Two seasons with the Flames followed before stints with the Melbourne Boomers and Geelong.

Froling then penned a deal to return to the Harbour City ahead of the WNBL26 season.

In the green and gold, Froling helped Australia win gold at both the 2017 (Italy) and 2019 (Thailand) Summer Universiade, before steering the Opals to bronze medals at the 2021 (Jordan) and 2023 (Sydney) Asia Cup.

"[Upon reflecting on my career] my highlights would definitely be the two championships in Canberra," she said.

"They were really special, really fun and we had a really great group there as well.

"My other highlight would be playing with Melbourne Boomers. That was a really special team and a good group."

Froling, who has career averages of 10.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists, has had much time to reflect though as her Flames travel to Canberra to play the Capitals on Saturday evening.

"We're kind of turning over new leaves [at the moment] and our defensive intensity is definitely going to be a key to victory," she said.

"We want to make sure if we can play really hard defence and win the rebound count and then we put ourselves in a really good position to win and hopefully start a win streak."

Tickets to Saturday's match, which tips off at 7pm AEDT live on ESPN and 9Now, are still available here.