Latest news with #Olbrich
Chicago Tribune
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bulls are embracing ‘Lachie' Olbrich, their 2nd-round pick: ‘He's going to hurt someone'
Second-round draft pick Lachlan Olbrich has been getting acquainted with Chicago before the Bulls summer league team heads to Las Vegas for Friday's opener against the Toronto Raptors 'I love it,' he said. 'The weather's beautiful and being out by the lake has been pretty cool. Italian beef is cool (but) I can't eat it too much; otherwise, I'll bulk up.' Of course, Olbrich arrived in the summer. Time will tell if the weather statement holds. The Bulls selected the Australian forward/center with the No. 55 pick in last month's draft after a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's one of eight international players on the 14-man summer league roster, which has been practicing this week at the Advocate Center. The Adelaide native began his professional career at 17 in his home country's National Basketball League. He played one college season at UC Riverside in 2022-23, averaging 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds and earning Big West Freshman of the Year honors, before returning to Australia. He spent the last two years with the NBL's Illawarra Hawks and averaged 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds this past season. Now 21, Olbrich is ready for his next stint of American basketball — in which the competition in Las Vegas will include fellow 2025 draftees such as Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper. He compared basketball overseas with his time in the U.S. '(The transition) has honestly been quite easy,' Olbrich said. 'It's a little bit of a difference, but I feel like I can slide into any role I'm asked to. (Here) it's up-tempo with a lot of freak athletes. The three-second rule I've had to adjust a little bit too.' He credited the 'improving' Australian basketball programs for developing players to be ready for the NBA. 'Even in your junior clubs, different states are developing decent talent,' Olbrich said. 'Everywhere in Australia is improving and it's good to see.' As he adjusts to Chicago, the Bulls have welcomed Olbrich with open arms. They already have a nickname for him — so common that Windy City Bulls and summer league coach Billy Donovan III 'took a pause for a second' when hearing Olbrich's full first name. 'He goes by Lachie,' Donovan said with a smile. 'He's going to hurt someone with how hard he plays, but he's been a joy to coach. If you tell him to run through a wall, he'll try to run through two of them. He plays with a chip on his shoulder but in a good way.' Added Olbrich: 'I say my name is Lachie — that's the abbreviated name for Lachlan — but the Americans kind of hear it as Lachie (pronounced LOCK-ee). That's been my nickname for the past two years now.' The NBA's Australian contingent includes Most Improved Player winner Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks and Bulls guard Josh Giddey, currently a restricted free agent. The 22-year-old Giddey also had a breakout season in 2024-25, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists. 'That's my boy; we're under the same agent.' Olbrich said of Giddey. 'We've had some tournaments (in Australia) where I've played against him. We've touched base in the last year quite a few times, and hopefully we get (him) back here to work.' Today's NBA is loaded with overseas talent, including superstars such as Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Luka Dončić (Slovenia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) — Olbrich's favorite player. 'Coming in as the No. 55 pick, I'm really grateful for everything, but (it's) baby steps for now,' Olbrich said. 'I'm here for my team, to make everyone better and keep grinding on the court. That's all I can do right now.'
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
This basketballer lived in a shipping container. Now he's part of Australia's equal record NBA draft haul
'But it's definitely warmed up a little bit, and it's a great place to be.' ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that Zikarsky was expected to spend the next two seasons on a two-way contract with the Wolves, allowing him to be able to develop his game between the NBA and its development league. Olbrich joins Giddey at the Bulls Olbrich could team up with fellow Aussie Josh Giddey, who is a restricted free agent and tipped to receive a lucrative new contract from the Bulls after starring for them this past season. Teams don't have to sign second-round picks to contracts and can choose to send them overseas to develop, but there seems a good chance all four will end up in the US league next season. Timberwolves president Tim Connolly said he was 'fired up' about snaring the 18-year-old Zikarsky, who has trained in Minnesota since late March. 'He was a very good competitive swimmer, near Olympic level [at underage level] prior to getting into basketball, so we are fired up,' Connolly told a press conference. 'He is a long-term play but a guy who trained locally, so he appreciates Minnesota. We had a great workout with him, and had him much higher on our board.' Loading Australia's equal-best NBA draft haul With four Australians chosen, this year's draft ranks equal with the 1997 intake for the most Australians ever selected, with Zikarsky (pick 45) the first of the quartet picked up. In 1997, South East Melbourne Magic's Chris Anstey ended up with the Dallas Mavericks after the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him in the first round. C.J. Bruton, Paul Rogers and Ben Pepper were all taken in the second round. The Timberwolves could opt to have the 221-centimetre Zikarsky play elsewhere next year to continue his development, or they could bring him in to learn from veteran centre and four-time NBA defensive player of the year Ruby Gobert. Olbrich was taken by the LA Lakers at pick 55 but had his draft rights traded to the Bulls, who could offer him a two-way contract in which he would move between the G-League and the NBA. Toohey could face a similar situation with the Warriors. ESPN reported during the draft coverage that Proctor was tipped to earn a roster spot with the Cavs, who wanted a young guard to add depth to their line-up. Two-way contracts see players earn about $US600,000 and move between an NBA team and its G-League affiliate. They can suit-up for up to 50 NBA games, and teams can choose to upgrade their contract to a full-season one. The Bulls have a rich history with Australian players. Luc Longley won three-straight titles playing alongside Michael Jordan in the 1990s, while Anstey, Cam Bairstow and Luke Schenscher all spent time at Chicago in the years after. Cavs pick up Proctor, Toohey goes to Golden State The Cavaliers made Proctor the latest Aussie to join their ranks when they took him with pick 49. He joins the team where Matthew Dellavedova (who went undrafted) won a title with LeBron James, while former second-round pick Luke Travers was a two-way player in Cleveland this past season. Cavs general manager Mike Gansey told media that Proctor was expected to sign a multi-year contract with the team. Toohey, a wing for the Sydney Kings, had to wait for the 52nd pick to hear his name called out by Golden State. Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy told media the team traded into the second round to draft Toohey and Florida shooter Will Richard, and he didn't think either player was 'years away' from making an impact for the team. Toohey impressed scouts with his feel for the game and defensive nous, but fell into the second round where the Warriors took him with a selection that was originally held by the Phoenix Suns. Proctor played with Duke University in US college basketball and his teammates Flagg, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel were selected in the top 10. Flagg flies in Dallas; Maluach steals the show The Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first pick of the draft on Thursday, while 10th pick Maluach stole the show after he capped a stunning rise from South Sudan to the NBA. Cooper Flagg is on his way to the Dallas Mavericks as the No.1 pick in the NBA draft, but the tears of South Sudanese centre Maluach stole the show during the first round. The 216-centimetre Maluach was overcome upon hearing his name called on Thursday (AEST), completing a rise from the streets of South Sudan to the NBA academy, the South Sudan Olympic team and Duke, where he played this past season. His draft rights will be part of the Kevin Durant trade, so while he was drafted by Houston Rockets, he will be headed to the Phoenix Suns. Maluach said he wanted to change perceptions about Africa and promote the best of the continent, rather than its struggles. 'The moment met my expectations,' Maluach said. 'I didn't think I was going to cry, but sometimes I let the emotions out. I was so happy. Everything was just going through my head, my whole journey and my people and the continent I represent, the continent of Africa. 'It just makes me proud because I had beliefs. I believed in myself. I was delusional about my dreams. No matter what the odds are against you, it shows that you can win.' Heckler disrupts the draft's first round Flagg, a Maine native and Duke forward, was a certainty to be the first pick after his stellar season in the US college basketball system, but some conspiracy theorists in the crowd had their say at the start of the event. A fan could be heard screaming 'Dallas was fixed' on the TV broadcast microphones just before NBA commissioner Adam Silver walked to the stage to open the draft. There is an unfounded conspiracy theory among some fans that the Mavericks were awarded the top pick in the NBA draft lottery in return for the shock mid-season trade that resulted in Dallas sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in return for Anthony Davis. Mavs fans protested for weeks after the Doncic trade, while the Lakers gained a young superstar to take over from LeBron James when he eventually retires. The Mavericks received the first draft pick, despite having just a 1.8 per cent chance of doing so. The NBA hosts an annual lottery draw for its top selections as a way of avoiding teams deliberately finishing last to gain the first pick. Loading 'No, I don't know what to say about that,' Flagg said when asked about the conspiracy theory. 'I have no insider information, if that's what you're looking for. But I just feel blessed for the way it all worked out.' Rutgers point guard Dylan Harper was taken at No.2 by the San Antonio Spurs, followed by Bahamas and Baylor University guard V.J. Edgecombe at No.3, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers. In the name of the brothers Duke guard Knueppel went to the Charlotte Hornets with pick four, followed by Rutgers guard Ace Bailey to the Utah Jazz and Texas guard Tre Johnson, who joined the Washington Wizards with pick six. Knueppel is the oldest of five brothers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all of whom have names starting with 'K': Kager, Kingston, Kash and Kidman. All five appeared on the ESPN broadcast of the draft and all are aspiring basketballers. New Pelicans could be headed to Melbourne The New Orleans Pelicans, who will play two pre-season games in Melbourne against NBL clubs later this year, picked Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears at No.7 and traded for big man Derick Queen at No.13. The pair will likely debut in Pelicans colours at Rod Laver Arena. Fears hopes the pair can become stars together as the Pelicans re-tool their roster under new boss Joe Dumars. Fears found out about the trade while talking to the media. 'That's super dope. Derik is a great guy, super talented. You can expect a lot from him this season,' Fears said. 'I feel like our connection and our duo is going to go a long way, as well. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing to build that connection, two rookies coming in. You guys should expect big things.' San Antonio were again big winners as they drafted the highly touted Harper at No.2 and then grabbed Arizona defensive ace Carter Bryant at No.14 to pair with French superstar Victor Wembanyama. Harper is the son of five-time NBA championship winner Ron Harper who won three titles with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and two with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Byrant's LA Lakers. Chinese centre Yang Hansen was a surprise early selection by Memphis Grizzlies at No.16, and his draft rights were traded to Portland. The LA Clippers used the 30th pick on Swiss seven-footer Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
