Four Aussie takeaways from the 2026 NBA Summer League
The 2026 NBA Summer League saw ten Aussie players suit up for ten different teams, with hopes of earning a fifteen man roster spot in the world's top basketball league.
Every year, the NBA Summer League features a host of Australian players on the fringes of a regular NBA roster spot, as well as some new faces hoping to make a name for themselves in front of NBA scouts. The 2026 edition included ten Aussie players, as well as New Zealander Flynn Cameron and several ex-NBL foreign players - Lee Hyun-jung, Malique Lewis and Jesse Edwards.
Playing time is often limited, and the stakes are high, with players afforded only a handful of matches to make an impression. Here are four takeaways from the Australian contingent that suited up for the 2026 NBA Summer League.
Lachlan Olbrich belongs in the NBA
Lachlan Olbrich was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 2025 NBA draft and defied his late second round position (55th overall) by making 37 regular season appearances, including two starts. Playing on a two-way contract, Olbrich spent much of the season in the G League, where he averaged an impressive 19.2 points and 8.6 rebounds for the Windy City Bulls. Olbrich thus had some runs on the board, but still came into the 2026 Summer League with plenty to prove, hoping to show NBA scouts that his debut season wasn’t a fluke.
In eight preseason games for the Golden State Warriors, Olbrich averaged 9.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 59% from the field. He only played 16 minutes per game, but made his mark in limited playing time, and described himself as a “glue guy” in an interview with The Mercury News.
“Being the ultimate glue guy, connector guy, kind of what Draymond Green does with Golden State,” Olbrich told the Mercury News. “I’m just trying to be better in those areas, being able to defend all five positions is what I’m trying to get to, and just getting the ball from side to side.”
Olbrich particularly excelled in one game where he dropped 21 points on 100% shooting from the field. The 22 year old has shown he is an above the rim athlete, and flashed his versatility by making a series of left handed finishes. Olbrich has also realised the importance of his passing game, averaging a touch under two assists in the preseason. For him to crack an NBA roster however, the development of his jumper will be an area of major interest. Olbrich made two of four three-point attempts across his eight matches, showing a very low volume of shots, but he just needs to keep the defence honest when left open.
Overall, Olbrich’s output shows he belongs in the NBA. At 6’8 he is considered undersized compared to most big men, but can make up for that with playmaking vision, tenacity on the boards and a developing jumper. NBA teams will be watching him closely heading into the 2026-27 season.
Rocco Zikarsky is ready
When Rocco Zikarsky started his NBA career in 2025, he was considered a project. He never quite earned significant playing time with the NBL’s Brisbane Bullets, and to many onlookers, a few years in the G League seemed likely. However, the 20 year old enjoyed a stellar debut season with the G League’s Iowa Wolves, averaging 14.8 points and 8.9 rebounds, before taking that form into the 2026 Summer League.
Zikarsky averaged 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 24.3 minutes for Minnesota’s Summer League team, and more importantly, blocked 2.0 shots per game - showing his potential as a disruptive rim protector. He couldn’t quite find his three point shot, hitting just 21.4% of his looks from downtown, but encouragingly attempted 2.8 three pointers per game. Zikarsky has signalled his intent to develop into a stretch five, and that could be valuable for Minnesota in the post-Rudy Gobert era.
In one particular game where he showed all-around brilliance, Zikarsky dropped 16 points and seven rebounds against the Los Angeles Clippers. He was a dominant force in the dunker spot, but also showed some finesse by hitting long range floaters, and even attempted some dribbles from the perimeter. Adding five assists to his stat sheet that day, Zikarsky showed potential as a playmaker out of the post, throwing some impressive bullet passes to find open shooters.
Watching Zikarsky move around the court, he doesn’t have the stereotypical stiffness or slow gait often seen in players that stand 7’3 tall. The former age group swimming talent has impressive mobility and fluidity for his size, making him a tantalising prospect at both ends of the court. If Zikarsky continues to make strides with his three ball and mid-range jumper, he will become a part of the Timberwolves’ NBA rotation sooner rather than later. The team already has a noted rim protector in Gobert, but Zikarsky could add another dimension to their offense with his perimeter skills.
Oscar Cluff has serious potential
Oscar Cluff went undrafted in the 2026 NBA draft, and at the age of 24, doesn’t have time on his side compared to most other prospects. He faced long odds to crack an NBA roster, but nonetheless found an opportunity to suit up in the Summer League for Houston. Cluff was afforded a touch under 20 minutes per game, posting averages of 4.0 points and 7.6 rebounds, while shooting 46.7% from the floor.
The 6’11 centre is a big body who can set screens, and thrives on high percentage looks around the paint. His ability to gobble up rebounds would have piqued the interest of NBA scouts at the Summer League, although offensively his game is perhaps too limited to earn an NBA call up just yet. Cluff has never been a noted shooter, and did not attempt a single three-pointer in his last season of college basketball at Purdue. The big man is also not known for prolific rim protection, averaging 0.9 blocks in that same year at Purdue.
Nevertheless, Cluff can fill the role of a prototypical old-school big man, and NBL clubs will be circling a player of his caliber. Alternatively, it’s also possible that Cluff could spend some time in the G League, or in a best case scenario, land a two-way contract. Cluff shot 68.3% from the field at Purdue, proving to be one of the most efficient big men in the whole NCAA Division I competition - this will be a major selling point, as well as his insatiable desire to corrall rebounds at both ends of the floor.
As a 70% free throw shooter at Purdue, one would think Cluff has the potential to expand his shooting range. This would completely change the way that professional teams view him, and make a major difference to his NBA roster candidacy.
Mixed success elsewhere
While Zikarsky, Cluff and Olbrich were afforded plenty of opportunities to get into a rhythm, it wasn’t the same story for many of their compatriots who suited up in NBL26. Flynn Cameron flew the flag well for New Zealand, averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in a well-rounded display, but for much of the Australian contingent the minutes were hard to come by, or the shots just didn’t fall.
Cameron won NBL26 Most Improved Player honours, and took this form into the Summer League, where he was on song for the Portlant Trail Blazers. He sunk 43% of his 14 looks from beyond the arc, over four games, proving to be a real sharpshooter. Cameron’s playmaking ability was also on display, dishing out 3.2 assists in just 14 miuntes of average playing time, while ceding only 2.0 turnovers per game.
Cameron turned out to be one of the surprise packets of the 2026 Summer League, and will return to Adelaide with his eyes set on a larger role. He has the efficiency and all-around game to become one of the NBL’s top players, and it would not be a major surprise if he elevated his game to All-NBL level this season. The New Zealand national team have a potential cornerstone player in Cameron, who also happens to be the son of Tall Blacks legend Pero Cameron.
Davo Hickey averaged 3.6 points, 3.9 rebound and 3.0 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers, but shot just 39% from the field. The 27 year old has improved rapidly with Illawarra in the past few seasons, and showed his potential as an all-around contributor. NBA teams will be looking for a bit more aggression on the offensive end; if Hickey were to develop a more potent jumper, he would not be far off an NBA call up.
Luke Travers was waived by Cleveland in January but joined Milwaukee for the 2026 Summer League, hoping for a way back into the NBA. He averaged just 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 29.4% from the field. In a limited sample of matches the shots just didn’t quite fall for him, and his next move will be interesting to watch. Melbourne United have already lured Travers to the NBL - if the 24 year old elevates his game to All-NBL level the NBA will likely come calling again.
Harry Wessels, Anthony Dell’Orso, Kuany Kuany and Will Johnston all averaged 13 minutes or less, thus receiving limited opportunities to make an impact. Wessels was the most productive of the aforementioned quartet, averaging 3.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in under 10 minutes of playing time, but ultimately it’s difficult to impress NBA scouts in such limited minutes. Dell’Orso has been signed by the Perth Wildcats, while Wessels was snapped up by the Sydney Kings, with the lure of the NBL too strong for those that couldn’t find an NBA breakthrough.