Lachlan Olbrich has hailed his first year in the NBL a success and hopes to spend another season with the Illawarra Hawks before declaring for the 2025 NBA draft.
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Olbrich, 20, pulled out of the University of California Riverside after his freshman year to turn professional with the Hawks over the summer.
While not signed to the NBL's Next Star program, used as a springboard into the NBA by the likes of Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball, the South Australian big man is rated an NBA-calibre prospect.
Fellow NBL young guns Alexandre Sarr and Bobi Klintman have both been projected as possible NBA first-round draftees this June, the former rated a chance to go with the number one pick.
Olbrich has played a smaller role than Sarr and Klintman, averaging 12 minutes in the front-court on the resurgent Hawks' path to a fairytale play-in berth.
He is now tasked with helping neutralise star Tasmania JackJumpers big man Will Magnay when the fourth-placed Hawks travel to Hobart for their seeding qualifier on Wednesday.
"I'm super happy with my decision to go to the NBL and turn pro out of college," Olbrich told AAP.
Olbrich initially signed a three-year deal with the Hawks that would take him through to 2026.
But he feels he could be ready to use his one chance at draft declaration a season earlier than that.
"Ideally, it's after next year," Olbrich said.
"The draft is obviously a goal but I want to be able to perform quite well in the NBL before I do anything.
"I'll show a bit more of what I can do next year and help the team win again hopefully and then see what happens, see where my name's at."
News of interim coach Justin Tatum signing on as the Hawks' permanent boss from next season will only affirm to Olbrich that the Illawarra region is the place to be for now.
"I wouldn't want anyone else (as coach), especially after everything we've been through," he said.
Tatum is keen to continue using the experienced members of the Hawks' roster to develop Olbrich in this season's finals series and beyond.
"Lachie is a young, energetic, high-level kid whose ceiling is extremely high," Tatum told AAP.
"I'm glad I have the Gary Clarks, and the Mason Peatlings, and the Sam Frolings so he can understand and learn, and they can be an extra positive voice that's a mentor to him, which is in the same sort of age that he can listen and learn.
"He's a superstar in the making."
Australian Associated Press
