Bulls' second-round surprise Lachlan Olbrich draws comparisons to 3-time All-Star

After trading down from No. 45 to No. 55, the Chicago Bulls' priorities were clear. The thought process shifted to a draft-and-stash and a two-way signee—all in all, anything that wouldn't take up the Bulls' final roster spot. Chicago has reportedly settled for the latter after making Australia's Lachlan Olbrich the 55th overall pick.

Although relatively unknown, even for being a late second-rounder, Olbrich received a mighty impressive player comparison from Bleacher Report following the draft. The media outlet compared the Aussie to Sacramento Kings' three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis.

Bleacher Report boldly compared Olbrich to Sabonis

Bleacher Report wrote, "Projecting any incoming prospect as a Domantas Sabonis prototype feels risky and frankly unfair… But to Olbrich's credit, he's flashed Sabonis-in-training potential with his polished footwork, elite hands and soft touch around the rim. He’s a crafty short-roll threat who makes smart reads, keeps the ball moving and can finish in tight spaces."

Later, Bleacher Report highlighted Olbrich's feel for the game, one of Sabonis' best attributes. Lastly, the Bleacher Report NBA Staff made the connection between Olbrich and Sabonis' frames. The 21-year-old big man measured nearly 6-foot-9 barefoot and 230 pounds with a wingspan just over 6-foot-11. On the other hand, the Kings' center measured 6-foot-10 and 238 pounds with a wingspan right below 6-foot-11.

Neither player is a particularly fluid athlete nor an outside shooting threat. Thus, as (somewhat) undersized playmaking bigs, the similarities between the two are evident. However, for a player who averaged 8.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 16.7 minutes per game for the Illawara Hawks, being compared to Sabonis is noteworthy.

Then again, as Bleacher Report stated, Olbrich is "Sabonis-in-training." He's nowhere near comparable to the 29-year-old big man in the present. Nonetheless, it's worth pointing out that Sabonis averaged merely 5.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists as a rookie for the Oklahoma City Thunder before breaking out in Indiana.

Interestingly enough, Olbrich, like Sabonis, played college ball in the United States. The Aussie spent his freshman season at UC Riverside, where he was honored by being awarded the Big West Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in his lone season in Riverside.

Olbrich then returned to the state of Victoria, suiting up for the NBL's Illawara Hawks. In two seasons with Illawara, Olbrich averaged 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per contest. He capped off his final season in Australia as an NBL Champion.