Olbrich: "We can go all the way"

Confidence is high in the ‘Gong ahead of NBL25, with young gun Lachlan Olbrich joining star import Darius Days in backing Illawarra to lift the Championship trophy.

The Hawks took huge strides last season upon the arrival of coach Justin Tatum in the latter part of the season, only falling at the final hurdle in the Playoffs. Now, they want to go one better.

"We absolutely think we can go all the way," Olbrich said at the club’s Season Launch event. 

"I think we set our expectations at top four again, but there's no reason why we can't be number one by the end of it and there's no reason why we can't be even better than last year.”

Olbrich will be key to the Hawks’ rise, with the 20-year-old one of the stars of the NBL Blitz tournament and set to enjoy more court time in his second professional season.

He logged just 11.5 minutes a game across NBL24, but looms as one of the big improvers heading into a new campaign.

"In my minutes I want to help the team achieve success. That's so broad, but if the team is winning, everybody is winning,” he said.

"Whatever JT (Tatum) gives me, I'm ready for. I don't have any expectations for the amount of minutes I get, but whatever I get on the night, I'll be ready for.”

Olbrich averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals a game at the NBL Blitz, shooting at an impressive 90.4 per cent from the field.

He’ll be key to the Hawks’ chances against Cairns in their season-opener on Saturday night, with tip-off from 8.30pm at HoopsFest in Perth.