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A 2025 NBL Champion’s Path From the NBL to the NBA Draft

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Owen Daszko | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Current Illawarra Hawks center Lachlan Olbrich has followed an interesting path from the NBL to the NBA. From winning the NBL with Illawarra to fighting for an invite to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine by playing in NBA G League Elite camps, Olbrich impressed during the pre-draft process. He could now warrant a potential second-round selection. The former UC Riverside Highlander has improved his draft stock immensely and people are beginning to watch his journey unfold from the NBL to the NBA Draft scene.

A 2025 NBL Champion’s Path From the NBL to the NBA Draft

Shaping Olbrich’s Career

Growing up in Adelaide, Australia, Olbrich began his basketball career in the NBL for his hometown team, the Adelaide 36ers. However, he didn’t earn any valuable minutes in his first season. After an uneventful campaign, he decided to pursue the collegiate route, landing in California at UC Riverside. In his first season with the Highlanders, Olbrich averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

After the season is when his journey took an unorthodox turn as he was signed by the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks. During the next two seasons, he earned some valuable minutes for them off the bench, averaging 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 2025.

Some former and current Illawarra teammates with NBA experience, like Gary Clark and Tyler Harvey, have guided Olbrich throughout his career to prepare him for what is to come. The NBL has shaped his career and future in the NBA. In the past, prospects like LaMelo Ball have used the NBL to develop and best prepare for the next level. It seems overseas prospect development is becoming more common in NBA Draft circles.

In his NBA Draft Combine interview, he commented on how he feels the NBL sets him up for the opportunity he has right now:

“NBL is a tough league. … It’s not a cupcake league and that’s very real. Being put in a very tough league, almost like thrown into the deep end after my one year of college and just having to adapt and I feel like I have learned so much about the game itself and from my peers who I played with. It’s kind of just helped me develop as a player.”

What Olbrich Wants to Prove

Entering the pre-draft process, Olbrich just wants a chance to prove his worth to an NBA team. As the 2025 NBA Draft inches closer, taking his path from the NBL to the NBA is paying off. After being a late addition to the combine, he was one of the best players during the scrimmage, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.

The pre-draft cycle can be a high-pressure environment for many prospects. However, Olbrich seems to be handling it through a positive lens. When looking at the overall process, he wants to maintain his calm perspective and individual goal to improve every day.

He continues to point to the possible NBA future in front of him:

“I’m trying keep like a steady ship. The possibility of it happening is getting realer and realer. I’m just trying to stay humble and just keep my head down and keep working.”

Prospect Strengths and Evaluation

Lachlan Olbrich brings a natural feel for the game, positioning himself in the right spots at the right moments. He runs the floor in transition at a high level and provides nice potential as a passer for a big. However, he can struggle with ball-handling, becoming more prone to turnovers. As he develops, Olbrich could be a versatile and reliable big who can make the right play and be a vital player in an NBA rotation.

The 21-year-old Australian big man is a prospect who could create an immediate impact and help build team success. He played a pivotal role in Illawarra winning the NBL championship this past season. In the championship game, he registered 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one block in a 114-104 victory. His contributions to team success in the NBL should give teams a view of his NBA-ready traits.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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