Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lachlan Olbrich

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lachlan Olbrich made an impact.

Lachlan Olbrich is an Australian professional basketball player currently signed with the Chicago Bulls (NBA) on a two-way contract. He has showcased his talent across multiple leagues, earning accolades such as NBL1 Central All-Star Five in 2022. After playing college basketball in the US, he returned to the NBL1 Central, leading the West Adelaide Bearcats to a championship in 2023 and receiving Grand Final MVP and All-Star Five honors. He later joined the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL and subsequently achieved a championship-winning season with the Canterbury Rams in the New Zealand NBL in 2024, where he was named both league and Grand Final MVP along with All-Star Five recognition.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2020: Represented South Australia at national basketball championships

In 2020, Lachlan Olbrich represented South Australia at national basketball championships, demonstrating his early talent and commitment to the sport.

October 2021: Signed with the Adelaide 36ers as a development player

In October 2021, Lachlan Olbrich signed with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a development player for the 2021–22 season, marking a significant step in his professional career.

2021: Represented South Australia at national basketball championships

In 2021, Lachlan Olbrich continued to represent South Australia at national basketball championships, further developing his skills and experience in the sport.

2021: Played in the Waratah League and NBL1 Central

In 2021, Lachlan 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, gaining valuable experience at different levels of competition.

2022: Joined UC Riverside Highlanders

In 2022, Lachlan Olbrich moved to the United States to play college basketball for the UC Riverside Highlanders of the Big West Conference, marking a new chapter in his basketball journey.

2022: Re-joined Southern Tigers and Earned League Accolades

In 2022, Lachlan Olbrich re-joined the Southern Tigers of the NBL1 Central, where he was named to the All-Star Five and won the Frank Angove Award as the league's best under 23 player, highlighting his growing impact on the court.

2022: NBL1 Central All-Star Five Selection

In 2022, Lachlan Olbrich was named in the NBL1 Central All-Star Five while playing for the Southern Tigers, marking a significant achievement in his early career.

April 2023: Signed with the Illawarra Hawks

On April 4, 2023, Lachlan Olbrich signed a three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL, marking a significant step in his professional career.

2023: NBL1 Central Championship with West Adelaide Bearcats

In 2023, Lachlan Olbrich helped the West Adelaide Bearcats win the NBL1 Central championship, earning grand final MVP and All-Star Five honors, showcasing his impact on the team's success.

2023: Joined West Adelaide Bearcats and Won Championship

In 2023, Lachlan Olbrich returned to the NBL1 Central and joined the West Adelaide Bearcats, where he was named to the All-Star Five, won his second Frank Angove Award, and led the team to victory in the NBL1 Central Grand Final, earning the grand final MVP award.

November 2024: Joined Australian Boomers for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

In November 2024, Lachlan Olbrich joined the Australian Boomers for the first time to compete in the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, marking a significant achievement in his career.

November 2024: Career-High Performance Against New Zealand Breakers

On November 28, 2024, Lachlan Olbrich scored a career-high 21 points in just 13 minutes of court time in a 109–71 win over the New Zealand Breakers, showcasing his potential and contributing to the team's success.

2024: Championship-Winning Season with Canterbury Rams

In 2024, Lachlan Olbrich had a championship-winning season with the Canterbury Rams in the New Zealand NBL season, where he was named grand final MVP, league MVP, and All-Star Five, further solidifying his reputation as a top player.

2024: Joined Canterbury Rams and Personal Tragedy

In 2024, Lachlan Olbrich joined the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). On March 27, 2024, the day he debuted for the Rams, he learned of his father's death in South Australia and returned home for an extended period. He later returned to the Rams, earning MVP honors and leading the team to a championship.

2024: NBL Championship with the Illawarra Hawks

In the 2024-25 season, Lachlan Olbrich won an NBL championship with the Illawarra Hawks, marking a significant milestone in his career.

July 2025: Signed a Two-Way Contract with the Chicago Bulls

On July 3, 2025, Lachlan Olbrich signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls and joined the team for the 2025 NBA Summer League, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

November 2025: NBA Debut with the Chicago Bulls

On November 30, 2025, Lachlan Olbrich made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls, recording two points and three rebounds in a 103–101 loss to the Indiana Pacers, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2025: Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers

After winning an NBL championship with the Illawarra Hawks, Lachlan Olbrich was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2025: Hopes of declaring for the NBA draft

Following his first NBL season in the 2023-24 season, Lachlan Olbrich had hopes of declaring for the 2025 NBA draft, signaling his ambition to pursue a career in the NBA.