Lachlan Olbrich Bio
Lachlan Olbrich (born 30 December 2003) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association, signed to a two-way contract with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League. A 2.03 m forward/center, Olbrich rose through South Australian junior ranks before moving to the United States for college basketball and returning to lead championship teams in Australia and New Zealand.
Early Life and Background
Lachlan Olbrich was born in Adelaide, South Australia, and grew up playing basketball with his older brother Mitchell and his father Greg Olbrich. He attended Reynella East College in Adelaide, where he played basketball and volleyball and represented South Australia at national championships in 2020 and 2021.
Olbrich developed through local pathways, appearing for the BA Centre of Excellence and making early NBL1 Central appearances with the Southern Tigers. Those formative opportunities established his reputation as a multi-skilled frontcourt player and prepared him for professional pathways in the NBL and overseas.
Path to Basketball
Olbrich played one game for the BA Centre of Excellence in 2021 and joined the Adelaide 36ers as a development player for the 2021–22 NBL season, appearing in three games for the 36ers. He returned to the NBL1 Central competition with the Southern Tigers in 2022 and earned league recognition that attracted interest from higher-level programs.
After his 2022 NBL1 Central season, Olbrich moved to the United States to play college basketball for the UC Riverside Highlanders in the Big West Conference for the 2022–23 season. His freshman season produced immediate results and laid the foundation for a professional career back in Australasia and eventual entry to the NBA draft.
Lachlan Olbrich Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Olbrich began his senior career in 2021, appearing for the BA Centre of Excellence and signing as a development player with the Adelaide 36ers for the 2021–22 NBL season. He gained further experience in the NBL1 Central with the Southern Tigers in 2022, where he averaged strong numbers and won the Frank Angove Award as the competition’s best under-23 player.
His 2022 NBL1 Central season included averages of 19.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game across 12 contests, and selection to the NBL1 Central All-Star Five. Those performances helped establish Olbrich as a prominent young forward in South Australia and earned him a move to college basketball in the United States.
NBL1 Central Breakthrough (2023)
After one season at UC Riverside, Olbrich returned to Australia and resumed play in the NBL1 Central with the West Adelaide Bearcats in 2023. He again earned All-Star Five honours and the U23 Player of the Year award, finishing the season with averages that confirmed his continued development.
Olbrich led the West Adelaide Bearcats to the 2023 NBL1 Central championship, producing a 24-point, 10-rebound and eight-assist performance in the grand final and earning Grand Final MVP. That championship run raised his profile ahead of a multi-year NBL contract.
Illawarra Hawks Era (2023–2025)
On 4 April 2023, Olbrich signed a three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League. He showed promise in pre-season play during the NBL Blitz and then served as a capable back-up during the regular season, averaging 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds across 31 games in 2023–24.
Olbrich remained a rotational contributor for the Hawks and stepped up in the 2024–25 season as the team reached the NBL Grand Final. He posted a season-high 21 points in a November 2024 win over the New Zealand Breakers and played a key role in the Hawks’ run to their first NBL championship, averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds across 37 games in the 2024–25 campaign.
Chicago Bulls Era (2025–Present)
Following the 2024–25 NBL championship, Olbrich declared for the 2025 NBA draft and was selected in the second round, 55th overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers; his draft rights were subsequently traded to the Chicago Bulls. On 3 July 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls and was added to the Windy City Bulls roster for the NBA G League portion of his deal.
The two-way agreement positioned Olbrich to gain experience in the NBA and the G League while continuing his professional development under Bulls coaching staff. The contract runs into the 2025–26 window and represents his first formal NBA roster agreement following his Australasia successes.
Playing Style and Strengths
Olbrich is a versatile 2.03 m frontcourt player who combines interior scoring, offensive rebounding and playmaking from the high post. His ability to stretch the floor, handle the ball for his size and make timely passes adds value as a secondary creator and late-game option for coaches seeking positional flexibility.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include NBL1 Central championships and Grand Final MVP honours in 2023, a standout 2024 season in the New Zealand NBL where he earned league MVP and Grand Final MVP, and contributing to the Illawarra Hawks’ 2025 NBL championship. His selection in the 2025 NBA draft and two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls mark his transition to the NBA landscape.
Lachlan Olbrich Career Wins
Olbrich’s verified championships and individual accolades span NBL1 Central, the New Zealand NBL and the Australian NBL. Those team titles and MVP awards reflect rapid progression from state league standout to international professional.
NBL1 Central Highlights
In NBL1 Central play, Olbrich earned All-Star Five honours in 2022 and 2023, won the Frank Angove Award as the league’s leading U23 player twice, and led the West Adelaide Bearcats to the 2023 championship while taking Grand Final MVP. His scoring and rebounding totals in those seasons showcased his readiness for top-tier competition.
New Zealand NBL Highlights
Olbrich joined the Canterbury Rams for the 2024 New Zealand NBL season and earned league Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Forward and Youth Player of the Year honours while being named to the All-Star Five. He finished the campaign as Grand Final MVP after a 29-point, 18-rebound and six-assist performance to secure the championship.
NBL Highlights
Olbrich contributed to the Illawarra Hawks’ 2024–25 minor premiership and playoff run, stepping up in the NBL Grand Final series to help the Hawks secure their first championship in franchise history. His playing time and production increased through the season, culminating in key scoring outputs during the grand final series.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Olbrich earned Big West Freshman of the Year honours during his single season at UC Riverside after averaging 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. His college performance and sustained success in regional professional leagues provided momentum into professional contracts and NBA draft consideration.
Lachlan Olbrich Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Olbrich comes from a basketball family in South Australia; his father, Greg Olbrich, was a figure in the state basketball community and won the South Australian State League MVP in 1995. The family environment supported Lachlan’s development from junior programs through to professional ranks.
Personal Life
Olbrich endured a personal loss in March 2024 when his father, Greg, died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a social basketball game. He has maintained a focus on his playing career while honoring his family’s influence on his development.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBL season represented a breakthrough at the highest domestic level for Olbrich as he helped the Illawarra Hawks win the NBL championship and improved his per-game production. His performances drew NBA attention and led to his decision to enter the 2025 NBA draft.
Following the draft, Olbrich signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls in July 2025 and joined the organization for Summer League play. The 2025 season trajectory positions him to split time between the Bulls and the Windy City Bulls in the G League while continuing to develop as a versatile frontcourt player.