The Aussie-born St. Mary’s Rattler basketball star is making the most of his final college season.
SAN ANTONIO — Graduate student senior Lachlan Bofinger’s home country is Australia, but he considers the United States – and San Antonio in particular – “for sure” his second home.
“UTSA made their changes and Lachlan was looking for a change, but I don’t think he wanted to change his lifestyle,” said Bubba Meyer, head coach of the St. Mary’s Rattlers men’s basketball team.
‘If I had an opportunity to come to a school like St. Mary’s I was gonna take it,” said Bofinger about coming to Texas.
Lachlan has certainly run with the opportunity at STMU since last season. He’s around the statistical top in the Lone Star Conference in rebounding and assist-to-turnover ratio as well.
You might say he’s the “glue guy” for the 2024-25 Rattlers, who are 16-4 as of Wednesday.
“I’m not the most skilled player in the world,” Bofinger said. “(But) I try really hard and give lots of effort.”
“He’s always pushing us and encouraging us to do better,” said senior big man Franklin Agu. “We thrive off how he plays, and that has been helping us a lot.”
Lachlan is one of those do everything-type players. His aforementioned rebounding is, first and foremost, beyond his scoring numbers.
“When scoring isn’t working, what do you go to? For me that is rebounding,” said Bofinger. “There are things that show up that don’t ‘show up’ on the stat sheet. You can have a good defensive possession. You won’t necessarily get the steal, but you might get a stop.”
Meyer said he and his coaching staff have no worries knowing how dependable Lachlan will be on the court each and every game.
“We know he is going to take people’s best shots all the time,” said Meyer. “Probably once a week he comes to the bench and something is bleeding. That is just how he plays. He’s a blue collar guy who mixes up his game. He doesn’t care. That’s his game.”
And to look beyond his game, like at his name: Lachlan Bofinger. One could see maybe some mispronunciations, especially with the last name, but sometimes it borders on silly.
“Usually when we play away games, the opposing team’s commentator will say some funky names,” said Bofinger. “I’ve heard ‘Lofinger.’ My last name doesn’t start with an L. I don’t know how that happens.”
“Sometimes when I’m mad at him I’ll say it,” said Coach Meyer, to which Bofinger responded: “I just choose to ignore it at this point.”
The Rattlers are riding a 10-game win streak and are alone in first place in the Lone Star Conference standings.