Newcomer Lachlan Olbrich

Lachlan Olbrich has secured a pair of wings after becoming an Illawarra Hawk last week, signing a 3-year deal with the club that will see him hit the court in NBL24.

Hailing from Adelaide, Olbrich grew up developing his game on home soil with the young talent showing great promise early on.

Olbrich was a part of the title-winning Southern Tigers U/18 Division 1 team, a representative of SA Metro in both 2020 and 2021. The forward was also an integral part of South Australia’s Bronze medal team at the 2021 U/20’s National Championship, where he led in steals (2.4 per game) and was third in overall rebounds (8.8 per game).

The then 18-year-old spent time as a development player with the Adelaide 36ers during Hungry Jacks NBL21 before taking to the court with the NBL1 Southern Tigers in 2022.

Olbrich played five games with the Tigers, where he built himself an impressive highlight reel averaging 20 points, 3.25 assists and 10.5 boards.

The 6’10 youngster then took his talents to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders, an NCAA Division I team who have a history of successfully recruiting young Australian ballers. Olbrich played alongside Flynn Cameron, who recently signed with Melbourne United.

Olbrich spent his freshman season with the Highlanders developing his game and gaining confidence in his role as a big man on the court, where he averaged 11.5 points and 6 boards in 27 minutes per game.

This paid off, with Olbrich managing to catch the eye of the Hawks' coaching staff when he put up a 20-point, 10-rebound, double-double during the Highlanders' face-off against the Hawks for the NBL23 preseason game at the Snakepit.

With Olbrich receiving interest throughout the league, the Hawks coaching staff are excited to have secured him for NBL24 and beyond. 

“Lachlan has been a player we have watched with a real interest in the last six months,” said the Hawks GM of Basketball, Matt Campbell.

Olbrich will add some front-court depth to the Hawks roster thanks to his impressive size and length, and an aggressiveness he isn’t afraid to take inside the paint.

“It was a priority for me to start my NBL career with a club that would allow me the best opportunity possible to develop my game, and the chance to work with Sam (Froling) daily is something I’m really looking forward to,” said Olbrich.

The Hawks roster for NBL24 is shaping up to be a young and exciting group, with Olbrich and fellow new signing Mason Peatling joining Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Dan Grida, William ‘Davo’ Hickey, and development player Harry Morris.