Olbrich turns heads in Summer League audition

Former Illawarra Hawks championship-winning big man Lachlan Olbrich hasn’t put a foot wrong in his quest to find a permanent home in the NBA.

The 22-year-old is currently representing the Golden State Warriors at NBA Summer League, following a promising rookie season with the Chicago Bulls on a two-way contract.

The Warriors had a head start on most teams this week, taking part in the annual California Classic ahead of the action in Las Vegas, where Olbrich was a clear standout.

Across the four games so far, Olbrich has averaged 13 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 18.5 minutes per game, including a 21-point haul against Miami on Tuesday.

Reflecting on his time in the NBL and how it prepared him for the next level, Olbrich said it was the perfect environment to set him up for success.

“(The NBL) tells me about the professional side of basketball,” he said following the Warriors’ first game in Las Vegas.

“Winning an NBL championship is not easy … so learning a lot through the process of that … it’s really good and beneficial.

“Ultimate goal is obviously a (NBA) contract.”

Olbrich was one of last year’s biggest success stories, going from playing a key role in the Hawks’ championship run to impressing at pre-draft workouts, earning an invitation to the Draft Combine and ultimately hearing his name called in the second round.

As for the message from coaches about what he needs to do next, it’s simple.

“Got to defend, got to keep doing what I do good already, but even better.”