A famous jersey. A new name

Lachlan Olbrich has been living a whirlwind dream over the past three weeks.

With only five selections left in the NBA Draft, Olbrich was still waiting, clinging to hope. Then, finally, his dream became reality: he was headed to the iconic Chicago Bulls.

Just over a fortnight later, he found himself in Las Vegas, suiting up for NBA Summer League and gearing up for his rookie season on basketball’s biggest stage.

“As soon as I heard my name on draft night, I was out the next morning to Chicago. It’s my first day off since then, so it’s been really a lot,” Olbrich told Pete Hooley on NBL Now.

The weight of the moment hit quickly. A jersey steeped in history, once worn by legends, now bore his name.

“I definitely took a deep breath when I first saw it laid out on my desk in my Chicago apartment,” the Illawarra Hawks champion said.

“Just laid out there. Forty-seven Olbrich. Had a red one, had a white one. It was surreal.

“The first time I actually suit up in that real Chicago Bulls jersey (in-season), I feel like that will be the next moment for me to take it all in.”

Olbrich is soaking up every step of the ride, intent on making the most of it.

“That’s how I’m trying to take my whole life in general – step by step. Baby steps, I say. Take it day by day. I’m enjoying it so much so far. I feel like I’m getting better, and it’s such a great environment for me to improve in as well. No complaints so far,” he said.

“It’s all earned, not given, for me. I’m honestly used to it, and I feel like that helps me. It’s helped me become who I am – getting knocked down, getting back up a bit stronger, learning from all my mistakes. I like the word perseverance. Stay at it, stay with the highs and lows. Try and just keep it steady.”

Olbrich wasted no time making his mark in Vegas, delivering 12 points and 6 rebounds in Sunday’s outing, Australian time.

The 2025 NBA Summer League starts from July 11, Australian time, with exclusive interviews and insights available on the NBL App and NBL.com.au.