Is this NBL25's breakout star?

Could Lachlan Olbrich be the breakout star of NBL25? If his recent form in the NZNBL is anything to go by, it’s a firm possibility.

The Australian center has been playing a starring role for reigning champions Canterbury, and looks primed to have a massive impact for Justin Tatum’s Illawarra Hawks in his sophomore season.

The 20-year-old currently ranks third in the competition for rebounds (12) and blocks (1.7) per game and sits tenth in the league’s MVP rankings despite having played just seven games.

He averaged just 3.8 points per game in his first NBL season back from college, but Heat Check’s Michael Houben believes Olbrich could be set for a starring season in Wollongong.

“I’m a big Olbrich fan, these numbers are phenomenal,” Houben said.

“He had a pretty quiet year at Illawarra, obviously it was his first professional year, but I think he is destined for bigger things this season. These numbers are great all-around, but he had a particularly exciting performance against his teammate Sam Froling. He had 22 and 12, Sam was held to 13 points. A little bit of rivalry there between Hawks.

“Lachie is so talented, he’s 6’10”, can handle the ball and make plays off the dribble, footwork, touch, there’s so much to like here.”

Olbrich had commenced his professional career prior to his solitary season at UC Riverside having played three games for the Adelaide 36ers in NBL22.

He and fellow former Riverside star Flynn Cameron will be joined in NBL25 by fellow alum and new Adelaide 36er Ben Griscti.