Sky’s the limit for rising Illawarra Hawks star Lachlan Olbrich

There were contributors everywhere as the Hawks tipped off their NBL25 Blitz campaign in style. But the big kid with the shoddy moustache stood out more than most, writes MICHAEL RANDALL.

There’s plenty to love about the Illawarra Hawks.

From their charismatic NBA-dad coach Justin Tatum, to brutish Boomers big man Sam Froling, sharpshooting face-of-the-franchise Tyler Harvey, newly-arrived import guard Trey Kell and the much-improved Will ‘Davo’ Hickey.

But, in a team emanating with so many positives, the NBA potential of 20-year-old tower Lachie Olbrich shines brightest.

As the Hawks tipped off their NBL25 pre-season Blitz campaign by hanging 100 points on South East Melbourne in a 112-93 win over the Phoenix, there were contributors everywhere, but every time the big kid with the shoddy moustache got near the rock, the anticipation was palpable and good things inevitably happened.

The SA product was given the starting job alongside Boomers centre Sam Froling in a daunting twin towers set up and showed why many are touting him as a future NBA talent.

Lachlan Olbrich in action for the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

The big boy’s got licence to grab it off the rim and lead the break, he crashes the glass, screens like a brick wall and rolls hard to the hoop.

Olbrich threw down the nastiest of one-handed dunks over Phoenix big man Jordi Hunter. Expect to see plenty of replays.

The UC Riverside product made his first six shots on the way to 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in just 23 minutes.

The sky’s the limit.

FEW MORE DAYS WAIT FOR DARIUS

A look at the NBL’s newest import Darius Days was put on hold with FIBA clearance yet to come through before Sunday’s 1pm tip-off.

In a real cluster, the Hawks need Basketball Australia to lodge the paperwork to FIBA to get approval from his former club.

Trouble is Days’ last team Shanghai Sharks in China hadn’t put in the paperwork to clear the power forward from his previous squad, Winnipeg Sea Bears in Canada.

FIBA’s office doesn’t open until Monday. The Hawks play at the Blitz again on Tuesday. It’s hoped the clearance will be approved by then.

After failing to re-sign superstar import Gary Clark, the Hawks brought in former LA Clipper Jamil Wilson for a trial, with the intent to sign him.

But Tatum and company went boss level with the significantly better Days, who caught the eye when the Sharks visited for an exhibition game.

It’s usually the NBL losing out on elite talent to the lucrative Chinese league — where Clark is playing this season — so it’s nice to see the Hawks get one back for Australia on this one.

Derrick Walton Jr is a key recruit for the Phoenix. Picture: Getty Images

MERRY WALTZ

Derrick Walton Jr showed why he’s being touted as one of the recruits of the season with a dominant — if a little loose — first half.

The Michigan native, who won an NBL title in Sydney produced 14 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds before shutting it down at halftime.

The 29-year-old’s ability to get to wherever he wants on the court is what sets him apart and his fearlessness driving to the hoop and insanely tough finishing produced several highlight reel plays on the night. He’s key to a Phoenix revival in NBL25.

ALL-NBL KELL?

Trey Kell began his NBL career three years ago with South East Melbourne. He’s shown signs of being an elite guard in the league in that season and last campaign with Adelaide.

He possesses one of the better all-court games in the league — and without doubt one of the most aesthetically pleasing. Everything about Kell is smooth, from his laid-back, friendly demeanour to his rhythmic movement on the floor to his silky smooth jumpshot.

He’s a significant upgrade on departed import guard Justin Robinson.

The San Diego native didn’t shoot it well (3-10) but had 14-4 in 10 minutes. I was laughed at recently when I floated he could make an All-NBL team. It’s not a certainty, but the potential is there if he stays healthy and engaged.

COTTON ON SONG FOR VICTORIOUS WILDCATS

By Emma Greenwood

Bryce Cotton won the game for the Wildcats doing Bryce Cotton things.

It’s hardly a surprise the reigning league MVP was dominant but in a pre-season game in which coach John Rillie was content to share time as the Wildcats start their week-long Blitz campaign, the little master was at his scheming best in Perth’s 108-102.

Rillie implored his team to be patient, telling them in a timeout early in the third quarter they would get the job done if they remained on task. But it took some Cotton magic to get there.

Still down five points with just over two-and-a-half minutes remaining, Cotton made three buckets in a row, two of them from steals, to hand his team the lead for the first time since the first quarter.

He finished with 32 points - 16 of those coming in the final term - underlining his status as one of the best players in the league.

With the match still in the balance, the Wildcats played the final 90 seconds without head coach John Rillie after he was ejected when the Perth bench picked up its third technical foul of the match.

Bryce Cotton was at his scheming best for the Wildcats. Picture: Getty Images

MCCARRON STARS FOR NEW CLUB

The Breakers started import shooting guard Matt Mooney, who has NBA experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. But he battled to find his range and it was Mitch McCarron who poured in the points, finishing with 17, including 14 in a dominant first half in which he gave the Wildcats plenty of problems, shot at 100 per cent from both the field and free throw line to show he’s a great addition for the Breakers.

Recruited after three testing seasons at Adelaide to complement star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who finished with a team-high 21, the veteran adds both leadership and scoring ability and was on fire against the Wildcats.

Comfortable both running plays or scoring, he played at point in tandem with Mooney, who finished with seven points on just three-of-12 scoring from the floor.

PINDER ON SONG IN PAINT

Young gun Izan Almansa may be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Alex Sarr, becoming the latest Wildcats Next Star to use the NBL as a pathway to the NBA. Almansa, the first Next Star to come out of Spain, was handy, finishing with nine points on 50 per cent shooting from the field, although he missed both his attempts from outside the arc.

But it was established NBL forward Keanu Pinder that stared for the Wildcats, shining in the front court as he shared time with the rising Spanish teen. Pinder finished with 25 points and eight boards, dominating in the paint and drawing five fouls while maintaining a clean sheet himself.

After an eye injury last year, Pinder plays in a mask and the Wildcats could have a masked dynamic duo in the paint at times this season, with Almansa also wearing protective gear at times.

Perth Wildcats 108 (Cotton 32, Pinder 25, Henshall 10) def New Zealand Breakers 102 (Jackson-Cartwright 21, McCarron 17, Anticevich, Mennenga 10)

Originally published as Sky’s the limit for rising Illawarra Hawks star Lachlan Olbrich