Rocco Zikarsky is an Australian basketball player who has been playing with the Brisbane Bullets of the NBL since 2023. His two-year experience with the Bullets has been aimed at developing him in preparation for the NBA. This young, 7’3” player has generated lots of attention from NBA scouts due to his talent, thus drawing comparisons to Donovan Cligan.
As a player who started professional basketball at 16 and was the youngest ever in the Bullets’ program, he began to make his mark on the team as soon as he was recruited. Playing 27 of 28 games in the 2023–2024 season and averaging 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game, he finished the season as one of the top prospects in the NBA.
Zikarsky had a good run in the 2024–2025 season and was nominated for the 2025 NBA Draft on April 30, 2025. Eventually, he attended the NBA Draft Combine.
How Did Rocco Zikarsky Contribute to His National Team?
Aside from standing out on his team, Zikarsky has also been a significant player on the Australian national team. During the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, he averaged 18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game with 73.1% shooting accuracy. With these, he led his team to victory and won MVP honors.
2025 Bleacher Report NBA Mock Draft (Post-Lottery):
55. Los Angeles Lakers: Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane, C)
PPG: 14.0
RPG: 10.5
FG%: 52.4
BPG: 1.9The 7’3”, 227-pound 18-year-old from Australia draws comparisons to Donovan Clingan, giving the Lakers a unique long-term project. pic.twitter.com/Jbt5eRxhtG
— Lakers Better (@LakersBetter) May 13, 2025
He played recently during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers for the Australian Boomers, a tournament determining the team’s qualification for the main event. Zikarsky’s physicality, scoring, and rebounding skills are expected to be crucial to the team’s progress.
Why Rocco Zikarsky Stands Out As a Player
Zikarsky’s height and weight stand out. At 7’3” and 227 lbs, his ability to dominate on the court is unquestioned, particularly due to his flawless defense against smaller opponents. His height allows him to protect the rim and seamlessly block opponents’ shots. His physicality also gives him strength and vertical ability, which makes him a great rebounder.
There is no doubt that Zikarsky’s main advantage is his physicality, on which his other skills build. He can score and dominate areas close to the basket thanks to his strength, agility, and height.
Zikarsky has shown excellent team spirit despite the advantage he has, as he has consistently created scoring opportunities for his teammates, making him an outstanding playmaker.
His playing potential and growing physicality make him an asset to any future team and the NBA, as games involving him will not lack competitiveness.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Most Athletic Players in the 2025 NBA Draft
Having caused a buzz in professional basketball with his skills, Zikarsky has been regarded as a top-ten pick in this year’s NBA Draft by scouts, coaches, and managers. Zikarsky is a young player with experience playing only in the NBL’s Next Stars program. However, he has shown himself worthy of being drafted and has excellent potential to be a great player.
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