Olbrich elevates NBA case with elite efficiency

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NBL champion Lachlan Olbrich is slowly turning himself into an NBA player.

The 22-year-old power forward / centre is putting on a development show in the G League for the Windy City Bulls and has been a go-to for Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan when he’s needed size off the bench for the 24-31 injury-riddled Central Division franchise.

The NBL25 champions, Illawarra Hawks, have clearly missed his physicality off the bench, crashing out of NBL26 without an opportunity to defend their title.

In the G League, Olbrich is operating as a high-efficiency interior big with legitimate short-roll playmaking value. His assist rate (23.9%) is elite for a centre, and his 68.3% true shooting underscores how selective and efficient his scoring profile is.

Olbrich is functioning less as a traditional rim-runner and more as a facilitating five / small-ball four who  initiates from the elbows, punishes switches, and keeps the ball moving.

The question for NBA elevation is not productivity — it’s defensive scalability and as a perimeter stretch four.

Lachlan Olbrich – G League Scout Report

• ‍Team: Windy City Bulls (NBA G League)
• ‍Position: Centre / Hybrid Big
• ‍Height: 2.03 m
• ‍Weight: 107 kg
• ‍Age: 22
• ‍Draft: 2025 – Round 2, Pick 55 (Los Angeles Lakers)
• ‍Prior: Illawarra Hawks (NBL)

Lachlan Olbrich

• ‍G League – Windy City Bulls (2025–26):15 GP │ 31.4 MIN │ 18.7 PTS │ 9.1 REB │ 5.6 AST │ 2.4 TOV │ 57.0% FG │ 25.7% 3PT │ 80.0% FT │ 68.3% TS‍
• NBA – Chicago Bulls (2025–26):17 GP │ 7.2 MIN │ 1.4 PTS │ 2.2 REB │ 0.7 AST │ 42.9% FG │ 28.6% 3PT │ 40.0% FT

Offensive Evaluation

1. Interior Efficiency – Elite

• 81.2% of field goal attempts are two-point shots
• 69% of scoring comes from the two-point range
• 57% overall from the field
• 67.6% of made two-point shots assisted

His profile reveals:

• Heavy use in pick-and-roll finishing
• High volume of paint touches (12.7 points in the paint per game)
• Strong finishing off movement and quick reads

He's not creating in isolation, but scoring within structure.

Translation: Reliable rim finisher and short-roll threat.

2. Short-Roll Playmaking – Advanced for Position

• 5.6 assists per game
• 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio
• 23.9% assist rate

For a centre, this is top-tier.

He is:

• Hitting weak-side shooters
• Delivering pocket passes
• Facilitating dribble hand-offs
• Operating as a delay-action finisher and facilitator

His 46.4% unassisted two-point rate suggests he can attack and finish off one or two dribbles.

NBA Comparison Archetype:Think a smaller version of a connective five — a playmaking pivot rather than a lob-only big.

3. Perimeter Shooting – Developing

• 2.3 threes per game
• 25.7% from three
• 80% from the free-throw line

The free-throw percentage shows his shooting touch is real. The three-point percentage is not NBA-ready yet, but the volume is encouraging.

If that number climbs toward 34–35%, he becomes materially more scalable in NBA spacing.

Right now, defenders are likely going under, staying in drops or helping off.

Rebounding Profile

• 9.1 rebounds per game
• 3.3 offensive rebounds
• 12.9% total rebound rate

Strong offensive rebound presence (35.8% team OREB share in usage splits).

He creates:

• Second-chance points (3.5 per game)
• Physicality on the glass
• Extra possessions

This is a direct translation of NBA skills, and coaches love it.

Usage & Role Context

• 20.2% usage
• 29.8% team assist share
• 28.3% team rebound share

He is not a low-usage role player but is actively involved.

Windy City is using him as:

• Interior scorer
• Short-roll playmaker
• DHO facilitator
• Secondary initiator

This is a significant developmental investment.

Defensive Evaluation

Metrics

• 0.5 blocks per game
• 0.6 steals per game
• 116.1 Defensive Rating
• 43.2 opponent paint points allowed

Olbrich is not a vertical rim protector, which elevates these concerns:

• Limited shot-blocking deterrence
• Average lateral mobility against switches
• More positional defender than explosive eraser

However:

• Low foul rate (2.9 per game)
• Solid awareness
• Doesn’t gamble

He projects defensively as:

• Rotational team defender
• Rebound finisher
• Not a primary rim anchor

To earn an NBA contract, he likely needs to play next to:

• A weak side shot blocker
• Or operate in switching lineups with high activity.

Efficiency Indicators

eFG%: 59.4%TS%: 68.3%Turnover Ratio: 10.6

These are strong efficiency markers. He is not wasting possessions.

Strengths

✔ Interior efficiency

✔ Short-roll passing and decision-making

✔ Offensive rebounding

✔ Physical maturity and strength

✔ High feel for game tempo

✔ Plays within structure

Development Areas

• Three-point consistency
• Vertical rim protection
• Defensive versatility in space
• Screening physicality at the NBA level

NBA Translation Projection

Best Case

Rotation big in a motion-heavy system as:

• Playmaking five
• Bench facilitator
• Connector in the second unit

Median Outcome

G League dominant, two-way contract depth piece with situational NBA minutes.

Ceiling Indicator

If he becomes a credible 35% three-point shooter, his value jumps significantly.

Tactical Fit in Chicago System

With the Chicago Bulls:

He profiles as:

• A second-unit DHO hub
• Interior finisher alongside perimeter creators
• Connector when floor spacing is intact

He would need:

• Floor spacing around him
• A defensive four or rim protector next to him

Scout Grade

• ‍Offense: B+
• ‍Passing IQ: A-
• ‍Rebounding: B
• ‍Defense: C+
• ‍NBA Scalability: B-

Olbrich is neither a classic rim-runner nor a proven stretch five.

He is a connective offensive big with an advanced basketball IQ and elite efficiency.

The swing skills are:

1. Three-point development
2. Defensive anchor viability

If either improves, he becomes an NBA rotation player; if not, he's a top G League interior with call-up potential.