Lachlan Olbrich

Last updated

Lachlan Olbrich
No. 30–Illawarra Hawks
Position Power forward / center
League NBL
Personal information
Born (2003-12-30) 30 December 2003 (age 20)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Listed height208 cm (6 ft 10 in)
Listed weight107 kg (236 lb)
Career information
High school Reynella East College
(Adelaide, South Australia)
College UC Riverside (2022–2023)
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021 BA Centre of Excellence
2021–2022Southern Tigers
2021–2022 Adelaide 36ers
2023 West Adelaide Bearcats
2023–present Illawarra Hawks
2024 Canterbury Rams
Career highlights and awards

Lachlan Olbrich (born 30 December 2003) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). In 2022, he was named in the NBL1 Central All-Star Five playing for the Southern Tigers. After a season of college basketball in the United States for UC Riverside, he returned to the NBL1 Central in 2023 and helped the West Adelaide Bearcats win the championship while earning grand final MVP and All-Star Five honours. He joined the Illawarra Hawks for the 2023–24 NBL season and then had a championship-winning season with the Canterbury Rams in the 2024 New Zealand NBL season. With the Rams, he was named grand final MVP, league MVP and All-Star Five.

Contents

Early life and career

Olbrich was born Adelaide, South Australia. [1] He grew up playing basketball with his older brother Mitchell and his father Greg. [2] He attended Reynella East College in Adelaide, where he played basketball and volleyball. [3] He represented South Australia at national basketball championships in 2020 and 2021. [3]

In 2021, Olbrich played one game for the BA Centre of Excellence in the Waratah League and two games for the Southern Tigers in the NBL1 Central. [4]

In October 2021, Olbrich signed with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a development player for the 2021–22 season. [5] He appeared in three games for the 36ers during the season. [4]

Olbrich re-joined the Southern Tigers of the NBL1 Central for the 2022 season. He was named to the All-Star Five [6] and won the Frank Angove Award as the league's best under 23 player. [7] In 12 games, he averaged 19.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. [4]

College career

Olbrich moved to the United States to play college basketball for the UC Riverside Highlanders of the Big West Conference in the 2022–23 season. [8] He averaged 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He was subsequently named Big West Freshman of the Year and earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honours. [1] [3] He became just the second Big West Freshman of the Year in UC Riverside history. [9]

Professional career

Olbrich returned to the NBL1 Central and joined the West Adelaide Bearcats for the 2023 season. He was once again named to the All-Star Five and won his second Frank Angove Award. [10] He helped the Bearcats reach the NBL1 Central grand final, where they defeated the Forestville Eagles 106–95 to win the championship behind Olbrich's 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. He was subsequently named grand final MVP. [11] In 18 games, he averaged 21.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. [4]

On 4 April 2023, Olbrich signed a three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL. [12] He had a breakout showing in the pre-season NBL Blitz but struggled early in the regular season. Upon coach Justin Tatum taking over midway through the season, Olbrich went on to prove himself as a capable back-up for captain Sam Froling. [13] In 31 games in the 2023–24 NBL season, he averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. [4] Following his first NBL season, he had hopes of declaring for the 2025 NBA draft. [14]

Olbrich joined the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) for the 2024 season. [15] On the day he debuted for the Rams on 27 March, [2] he was informed that his father had died in South Australia. He subsequently returned home for an extended period. [16] In his first game back with the Rams in late April, he scored a season-high 35 points against the Hawke's Bay Hawks. [2] [17] He helped the Rams finish top of the competition with a 17–3 record that included a 16-game winning streak. [18] For the season, he was named the New Zealand NBL Most Valuable Player alongside All-Star Five, Most Outstanding Forward and Youth Player of the Year. [19] [20] In the semi-final, Olbrich had 22 points and 16 rebounds and made the game-winning layup with seconds left in a 112–111 double-overtime win over the Taranaki Airs. [21] [22] In the grand final, he had 29 points, 18 rebounds and six assists to lead the Rams to a 102–87 victory over the Auckland Tuatara to win the championship. [18] [23] Olbrich was named grand final MVP. [24]

Olbrich entered the 2024–25 NBL season after a standout NBL Blitz pre-season tournament with the Hawks, demonstrating his potential in front of NBA scouts. [25]

National team

In November 2024, Olbrich joined the Australian Boomers for the first time to compete in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. [26]

Personal life

Olbrich's father, Greg Olbrich, was a figure in South Australian basketball and had won the most valuable player in the South Australian State League in 1995. [2] [27] Greg died in March 2024 at age 51 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a social basketball game. [28]

Related Research Articles

The Canterbury Rams are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch. The Rams compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Cowles Stadium. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as The Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams.

Oscar Forman is an Australian professional basketball player. He played 17 seasons in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) between 2001 and 2018.

Dion Anthony Prewster is an American-born New Zealand basketball player for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball for San Jacinto College and Stephen F. Austin State University. He served as an assistant coach of the Shimane Susanoo Magic in the Japanese B.League during the 2023–24 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucas Walker</span> Australian basketball player

Lucas Walker is an Australian basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL1 East. He played 10 seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL) between 2010 and 2020. He played college basketball for Montana State University Billings and Saint Mary's College of California before joining the Melbourne Tigers in 2010. After five seasons with Melbourne, he had stints with the Adelaide 36ers, Perth Wildcats, Cairns Taipans and Sydney Kings. He won an NBL championship with the Wildcats in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Todd Blanchfield</span> Australian basketball player

Todd Blanchfield is an Australian professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). He began his NBL career in 2009 with the Townsville Crocodiles, where he played six seasons. Between 2015 and 2023, he played for Melbourne United (2015–17), Sydney Kings (2017–18), Illawarra Hawks (2018–20) and Perth Wildcats (2020–23). In 2017, he won a gold medal with Australia at the FIBA Asia Cup.

The National Basketball League Finals Most Valuable Player is an annual National Basketball League (NBL) award currently given to the best performing player over the finals or grand final. The award has previously been known as Final MVP and Final Four MVP.

Jeremy Paul Kendle is an American professional basketball player for the Al-Ittihad SC Aleppo of the Syrian Basketball League. He played three seasons of college basketball for Bellarmine University, becoming the only player in school history to be named to the NABC All-America Team two years in a row. He was also a key member of the Bellarmine Knights' 2011 championship-winning team, helping the school claim their first NCAA Division II National Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majok Deng</span> South Sudanese-Australian basketball player

Majok Machar Deng is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player for the Tasmania JackJumpers of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball in the United States for Indian Hills Community College and Louisiana–Monroe. He debuted in the NBL for the Adelaide 36ers in 2016. After three seasons for the 36ers, he joined the Cairns Taipans in 2019 where he spent four seasons.

Ethan Rusbatch is a New Zealand basketball player for the Franklin Bulls of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He began his New Zealand NBL career in 2012 with the Southland Sharks after spending one season in the United States playing college basketball for Lincoln Trail College. After playing for the Taranaki Mountainairs in 2013, he spent the next four seasons with the Canterbury Rams. He joined the Hawke's Bay Hawks in 2018 and won the NZNBL's Most Improved Player in 2019. He also played two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL.

Shea Ili is a New Zealand professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He is also contracted with the Sandringham Sabres of the NBL1 South. He debuted in the Australian NBL in 2014 with the New Zealand Breakers. He was a member of the Breakers' championship-winning team in 2015 and in 2018 he named the NBL Most Improved Player. He joined United in 2019 and in 2021 he won his second NBL championship. He was named NBL Best Sixth Man in 2022 and NBL Best Defensive Player in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmett Naar</span> Australian basketball player

Emmett Naar is an Australian professional basketball player for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Saint Mary's Gaels between 2014 and 2018 before debuting in the NBL, where he played four seasons for the Illawarra Hawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Froling</span> Australian basketball player

Samson James Froling is an Australian professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays for one season before leaving to play professionally in Australia.

Sunday Dech is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player for the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He is a two-time NBL champion with the Perth Wildcats, having won in 2014 and 2019. Dech played NCAA Division II college basketball for the Metro State Roadrunners and Barry Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaac White (basketball)</span> Australian basketball player

Isaac Lewis White is an Australian professional basketball player for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal for three seasons, before graduating and signing to play basketball in Australia professionally.

Hyrum Tipene Harris is a New Zealand professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Harris (basketball, born 1999)</span> Australian basketball player

Michael Harris is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL).

Ben Henshall is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). He played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 in 2022 and 2023 and then joined the Otago Nuggets of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) in 2024.

The 2024 NBL season was the 43rd season of the National Basketball League. The competition increased to 11 teams in 2024 with the Tauranga Whai joining the league for the first time.

Jonathan Peter Janssen is a New Zealand–Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Rockingham Flames of the NBL1 West. Born in South Africa, Janssen grew up in New Zealand and Australia and played college basketball in the United States. He played a season for the Cleveland State Vikings before transferring to Hawaii Pacific in 2016 where he played three seasons. He has played as a professional in New Zealand, Kosovo, Australia and Luxembourg. In 2021, he made his debut for the New Zealand Tall Blacks.

Maxwell Ronaldo McKenzie Darling is a Vincentian-New Zealand professional basketball player for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).

References

  1. 1 2 "Under the radar: Olbrich primed for monster NBL24". Hawks.com.au. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Egan, Brendon (20 July 2024). "Canterbury Rams' Australian standout Lachlan Olbrich thrives through adversity". The Press . Archived from the original on 29 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Lachlan Olbrich". UC Riverside Highlanders . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lachlan Olbrich" . Australiabasket.com. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "Adelaide 36ers sign local talent Olbrich to DP contract". Adelaide36ers.com.au. 15 October 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "Your 2022 NBL1 Central Men's All Star Five". facebook.com/nbl1central. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Congratulations to Lachlan Olbrich on winning the 2022 NBL1 Central Frank Angove Award". facebook.com/nbl1central. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  8. ↑ Badkin, Liam (29 November 2022). "Olbrich ostensibly on the right path". central.rookieme.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "The Big West Unveils 2022-23 Men's Basketball All-Conference Team, Major Awards and Specialty Awards". Big West Conference . 6 March 2023. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "2023 NBL1 Awards Tracker". NBL1.com.au. 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  11. ↑ Badkin, Liam (14 August 2023). "Olbrich owns big stage with damaging decider". central.rookieme.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  12. ↑ "Hawks Secure Aussie College Talent". NBL.com.au. 4 April 2023. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  13. ↑ Latifi, Agron (3 March 2024). "'I can't wait to see the WEC packed': Olbrich ahead of Hawks v Breakers nailbiter". Illawarra Mercury . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  14. ↑ Bruce, Jasper (26 February 2024). "Hawks' Olbrich poised to shoot NBA shot in 2025". Illawarra Mercury . Australian Associated Press. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024.
  15. ↑ "Rams Land Star Australian Prospect Lachlan Olbrich". canterburyrams.basketball. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Findlater, Gordon (20 June 2024). "Basketball: Aussie Lachlan Olbrich overcomes devastating debut to inspire flawless Canterbury Rams NBL run". Newshub . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "CASEY'S CORNER: ROUND 5". nznbl.basketball. 14 April 2024. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024.
  18. 1 2 Chapman, Greg (28 July 2024). "Canterbury Rams overcome Tuatara for back-to-back NBL crowns". 1 News . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  19. ↑ "2024 SAL'S NBL AWARDS WINNERS REVEALED". nznbl.basketball. 24 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024.
  20. ↑ Seconi, Adrian (26 July 2024). "Aussie named league's most valuable player". Otago Daily Times . Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  21. ↑ "FINAL 6 CANTERBURY VS TARANAKI – RAMS WIN EPIC DOUBLE OVERTIME SEMI-FINAL". nznbl.basketball. 21 July 2024. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024.
  22. ↑ "Rams Survive Double-OT Classic And Advance To Grand Final". canterburyrams.basketball. 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  23. ↑ Egan, Brendon (29 July 2024). "Back-to-back NBL champion Canterbury Rams set up for sustained success". The Press . Archived from the original on 29 July 2024.
  24. ↑ "CANTERBURY RAMS ARE BACK-TO-BACK SAL'S NBL CHAMPIONS". nznbl.basketball. 28 July 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  25. ↑ Hooley, Pete (16 September 2024). "The Fab Five: Pre-season standouts". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024.
  26. ↑ "NBL stars headline Boomers team". NBL.com.au. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024.
  27. ↑ "Greg Olbrich, gentle giant, gone at 51". botinagy.com. 28 March 2024. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024.
  28. ↑ Latifi, Agron (29 March 2024). "Hawks mourn shock on-court death of Lachlan Olbrich's dad". Illawarra Mercury . Archived from the original on 19 June 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.