Lachy Bertram: Dunk Team to NBL1 Star
Written By
Amber Thomas
The 24-year-old is dominating for the Mandurah Magic on the court, and then during the off-season, he captivates RAC Arena as a member of the Wildcats dunk team.
“I first got involved when I saw it on Instagram.”
“I thought it'd be a bit of fun while I was working, so I signed up for it.”
“I wasn't playing at the time. Jumped in and yeah, it was fun jumping on trampolines and dunking the ball.”
After a stint with the Perth Redbacks, Lachy joined the Mandurah Magic in 2024 and his career took off from there.
He averaged 15.24 points and won a championship in his first season with the NBL1 side, and then took it to another level averaging 23.05 points and 4.73 assists in 2025.
Lachy’s season was highlighted by a 51-point game against cross-town rivals Rockingham Flames, a feat his Head Coach Mark Utley said was a testament to his competitiveness.
“We were down for a bit and Lachy with his competitive nature said that he wanted to shorten up the margin that we had. And he got hot in the last quarter.”
“A 50 point game was a testament to how much he works off the court to get himself ready for that performance.”
Coach Utley said he has seen growth in Lachy both on and off the court in 2025.
“He's really stepped into a leadership role, which has been a big development for him.”
“Last year, he had the ability to score and the ability to shoot the ball. He's doing a lot more creation for others and he's increased his assist totals.”
“So his points have been really good but it's also been that ability to score, create and lead others that’s been the change in him.”
Lachy said that his comfort at the Mandurah Magic has helped him take the leap to what he’s achieved this season.
“Finally understanding Mark Utley’s humor, that was definitely something that helped me feel a little bit less nervous playing a bigger role.”
“Preparation, all the things that I've done in practice and everything, that's definitely helped me kind of get to the next level and then just ambition of where I wanted to go.”
Lachy credits the Mandurah for welcoming him and making him feel at home.
“Playing for Mandurah is fantastic, it’s just like a family… It's like home, away from home, up the freeway and I love it.”
“They've given me a case to play that bigger role and yeah, I've taken it and enjoyed every moment of it.”
Coach Utley echoed Lachy’s thoughts on the Mandurah community.
“The Mandurah community has grown behind the Mandurah Magic the last few years.”
“I think the whole town really embraced basketball. As a community based team, with not necessarily the resources of other clubs.”
He also touched on the importance of investing in local talent.
“It's important that we do develop our own, and it's part of our ethos here that we really want to see Mandurah kids come in and play.”
“Lachy coming from Perth, he's been welcomed here by the club and a lot of the spectators and a lot of the young kids can really aspire to be him with the work he's done.”
“And that's important for those guys to see that they can come in and be the next Lachy that successful at that NBL1 level.”
Lachy and the Mandurah Magic NBL1 men’s side have locked in a seventh-place finish and are charging into the 2025 playoffs to defend their title. Head to their
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