"Proud Dad" Ready for Olbrich, Cameron Reunion

Featured in photo: Flynn Cameron

UC Riverside coach Mike Magpayo says he will be like “a proud dad” when two of his former players match up in the NBL this upcoming season.

Melbourne’s Flynn Cameron and Illawarra’s Lachlan Olbrich cemented themselves as key members of Magpayo’s Riverside team this past season, but have ended their collegiate careers to turn professional in the NBL24 season.

Olbrich played 34 games in his only season with the team, and averaged 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while Cameron averaged 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his final year of eligibility.

“Both those guys helped us have the most successful season in school history this year, 22-12, and Olbrich and Cameron were a huge part of it,” Magpayo told the Melbourne United website.

“I think I’m going to be like a proud dad in that game, and I’m going to be like a proud dad in every single one of their games. I will be watching that game and I’ll be watching a lot of their games – I probably won’t be getting a lot of sleep because I’ll be locked in.

“They had a great connection this year. Flynn became that point guard, he was able to find Olbrich a lot this year and they really played well together, so it will be fun to see them compete against each other.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lachy&#39;s first session in the books ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HawkNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HawkNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/HajUUKfqG2">pic.twitter.com/HajUUKfqG2</a></p>&mdash; Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1651470436667121665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Cameron name has become well-established in the NBL over the journey, and Flynn will be looking to add to the legacy his father, Pero, has cemented since becoming an inaugural member of the New Zealand Breakers in 2003.

Pero has since held coaching appointments at the Gold Coast Blaze, Brisbane Bullets and New Zealand Tall Blacks, and Magpayo says both Cameron senior and junior share similar traits.

“You’re getting the son of Pero Cameron, so you’re getting an elite competitor who is going to bring it every day in practice, in the weight room, and on the court,” Magpayo said.

“I’m sure he’s got a lot to learn here, but you’re getting some fire.

“He was the heart and soul of our team, he led us in that way, he was our grit, so he’ll be bringing that to Melbourne United for sure.

“The first two years with us he was a great shooter, good scorer, tough defender, and this year he really showed his point guard ability and his ability to make reads and passes, so that’s really exciting. You’re going to have a guy who can defend and rebound, but also shoot the ball and now make plays off the bounce.”

Olbrich and Cameron will face off for the first time in NBL24 in Round 4 when Illawarra hosts Melbourne on October 20.