ONE of the most exciting prospects in Australian basketball is Rocco Zikarsky, and the Brisbane Bullets big man will be suiting up as a National Basketball League (NBL) Next Star for the upcoming season.

Zikarsky has been highly touted within the Australian basketball machine for several years – largely due to his enormous physical stature – and is looming as a top 10 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, which is extremely exciting for his country.

Before all of that, he will be suiting up for his second season with the Bullets at NBL level, and should get a greater opportunity to develop his game over the course of the fixture.

Rocco Zikarsky

Team: Brisbane Bullets
Nationality: Australian
Position: Center
Age: 18
Height: 220cm (7ft, 3in)
Weight: 103kg (227lbs)

Playing history

Zikarsky came through the Australian basketball system, and was immediately recognised for his superior height and ability to dominate inside the paint. The opposition always gave up a considerable amount of size and the big man was able to make a huge impact at junior level.

He was selected as a Next Star by the Bullets ahead of last season, and was given the first 12 months of his contract to develop his game behind the scenes. Typically, he would play no more than five minutes a game, with Brisbane giving the playing time to experienced duo Aron Baynes and Tyrell Harrison as Zikarsky was considered a raw prospect.

However, he was still able to shine in limited court time, and has even represented Australia at international level, dominating opponents with the same amount of experience and showing why he is one of the brightest prospects in Australian history.

How he plays

Zikarsky’s biggest strength is clearly his physical profile, with few able to match his seven-foot-three frame in the entire world. He towers over opponents with ease, and uses this to his advantage, catching the ball above his head and finishing above the opposition, despite their best efforts.

The big man sets solid screens, and rolls to the basket at the right time, making him the ideal candidate to pair with a high-IQ point guard. Offensively, he can turn either side and likes to use his height to put up a deft hook shot. Naturally, he has no problem getting above the rim and can even put the ball on the floor if he needs to get the offence moving himself.

Defensively, Zikarsky is a masterful shot blocker, using his unmatched reach to swat shots with ease, and makes life difficult for anyone trying to conjure a field goal attempt near him. He also can close out faster than anyone on his team, and can affect longer range shots with his wingspan.

At the top level, Zikarsky will thrive as a defender, using his size to his advantage to defend the paint. If he wants to take the next step in the NBL this season, he will need to improve his output on the offensive end and get quicker feet to make him a more well-rounded threat.

Prediction

Zikarsky is heading into his second season in the NBL, and will undoubtedly look to impress in his draft year. With the departure of Baynes and more center minutes opening up for the Bullets, expect him to catch the eye.