Rocco Zikarsky

Last updated

Rocco Zikarsky
No. 44–Minnesota Timberwolves
Position Center
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2006-07-11) 11 July 2006 (age 18)
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Listed height7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
Listed weight227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school Brisbane Grammar School
(Brisbane, Queensland)
NBA draft 2025: 2nd round, 45th overall pick
Drafted by Chicago Bulls
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023 BA Centre of Excellence
2023–2025 Brisbane Bullets
2025–present Minnesota Timberwolves
2025–present→Iowa Wolves
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Rocco Zikarsky (born 11 July 2006) [1] is an Australian professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He previously played for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft.

Contents

Early life and career

Zikarsky was born on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, [2] to German Olympic medal-winning swimmer Björn Zikarsky [3] and Australian champion ironwoman Kylie Zikarsky. [2] He excelled in Queensland representative teams and was a standout player at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra. [4] He attended Brisbane Grammar School throughout his early teenage years. [5]

In 2023, Zikarsky played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 East, averaging 9.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in seven games. [6]

Professional career

Brisbane Bullets (2023–2025)

On 7 July 2023, Zikarsky signed with the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL) as part of the NBL's Next Stars program. [7] At 16 years old, he became the youngest player in the program's history. [8] On 7 January 2024, he had six points and four blocks in 10 and-a-half minutes against the Sydney Kings. [9] He played in 27 of the Bullets' 28 games in the 2023–24 season, averaging 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks on 59.7% shooting in 7.0 minutes per game. [10]

Zikarsky returned to the Bullets for the 2024–25 NBL season, [11] entering his second season as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA draft. [12] In the Bullets' season opener, Zikarsky played six minutes, scored four points and grabbed three rebounds. [13] He struggled to break into the starting lineup ahead of fellow centre Tyrell Harrison. [14] On 29 November 2024, he made his first NBL start with Harrison out with illness, recording thirteen points, eight rebounds and three blocks in a 117–89 loss to the Perth Wildcats. [15]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2025–present)

Zikarsky nominated for the 2025 NBA draft on 30 April 2025 [16] and later attended the NBA draft combine. [17] He was selected with the 45th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. His draft rights were then immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. [18] [19] He later signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves that night. [20]

National team career

In 2022, Zikarsky played for Australia at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. [21] In 2024, he led Australia to victory at the Albert Schweitzer-Tournament, earning MVP honours. He averaged 18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 26 minutes per game on 73.1% shooting. [22] [23]

Zikarsky debuted for the Australian Boomers during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. [21] [24]

References

  1. ↑ "Rocco Zikarsky - Player Profile". FIBA. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Who is Rocco Zikarsky? Seven-foot-three rookie set to make NBL debut for Brisbane Bullets | Sporting News Australia". www.sportingnews.com. 16 September 2023. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "Seven-foot-tall teen's big dreams to join NBA". 9now.nine.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Rocco Zikarsky". National Basketball League | NBL Australia | Australia's Basketball League. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "Inside life of 219cm teen basketball rising star Rocco Zikarsky". couriermail.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Rocco Zikarsky, Basketball Player, News, Stats - australiabasket" . Eurobasket LLC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "Bullets Sign Giant Next Star". NBL.com.au. 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  8. ↑ "Introducing The NBL's Next Stars: Rocco Zikarsky". National Basketball League | NBL Australia | Australia's Basketball League. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Bullets impress in snapping losing run to Kings". NBL.com.au. 7 January 2024. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "Rocco Zikarsky Player Profile, Brisbane - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "How NBL Next Star Rocco Zikarsky became a first-round NBA prospect ... and the 'turning point' in his rise". Fox Sports. 17 September 2024. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  12. ↑ Uluc, Olgun (22 May 2024). "Zikarsky, Toohey to get Boomers minutes in Japan". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  13. ↑ "Through Two Games of NBL Play, Rocco Zikarsky's Draft Stock Is Plummeting". NBA Draft On SI. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  14. ↑ Wright, Nick (1 November 2024). "Why a 220cm teenage NBA prospect is being held back". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  15. ↑ "Wildcats get revenge on wounded Bullets". NBL Official Website. 29 November 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2024.
  16. ↑ "Aussie Rocco Zikarsky nominates for NBA draft". ESPN.com. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  17. ↑ Hoops, Babcock (7 May 2025). "2025 NBA Draft Combine: Full List of Invited Players with Scouting Reports". Babcock Hoops. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "Timberwolves Complete Draft Night Trade". timberwolves.com. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025. The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired the rights to center Rocco Zikarsky (Rock-oh Zih-KAR-skee), two future second round picks and cash considerations in a multi-team trade.
  19. ↑ "2025 NBA Draft: Pick 45 - Rocco Zikarsky". nbl.com.au. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "Timberwolves' Rocco Zikarsky: Lands with Minnesota". CBSSports.com. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Rocco Zikarsky - Player Profile". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  22. ↑ G, Ayush (19 April 2024). "Could Rocco Zikarsky break out in NBL25 and become Australia's next NBA big?". pickandroll.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  23. ↑ "The best international prospects in next year's NBA draft: Scouting the top 10". ESPN.com. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  24. ↑ "NBL stars headline Boomers team". NBL.com.au. 30 October 2024. Archived from the original on 16 November 2024.
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