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Rocco Zikarsky
Australian basketball player (born 2006) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
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Early life and career
Zikarsky was born in Hurstville (Sydney), New South Wales to German Olympic medal-winning swimmer Björn Zikarsky[2] and Australian champion ironwoman Kylie Zikarsky.[3] He grew up on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, exelled 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] He has 3 siblings, Ruben, Jade and Lennox.[6] He is the nephew of Bengt Zikarsky.[7]
In 2023, Zikarsky played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 East, averaging 9.9 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in seven games.[8]
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Professional career
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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.[9] At 16 years old, he became the youngest player in the program's history.[10] On 7 January 2024, he had six points and four blocks in 10 and-a-half minutes against the Sydney Kings.[11] He played in 27 of the Bullets' 28 games in the 2023–24 season, averaging 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and one block on 59.7% shooting in seven minutes per game.[12]
Zikarsky returned to the Bullets for the 2024–25 NBL season,[13] entering his second season as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA draft.[14] In the Bullets' season opener, Zikarsky played six minutes, scored four points and grabbed three rebounds.[15] He struggled to break into the starting lineup ahead of fellow centre Tyrell Harrison.[16] 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.[17]
Minnesota Timberwolves (2025–present)
Zikarsky nominated for the 2025 NBA draft on 30 April 2025[18] and later attended the NBA draft combine.[19] He was selected with the 45th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. His draft rights were then immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[20][21] On July 9, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves.[22]
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National team career
In 2022, Zikarsky played for Australia at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.[23] In 2024, he led Australia to victory at the Albert Schweitzer-Tournament, earning MVP honours. He averaged 18.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 26 minutes per game on 73.1% shooting.[24][25]
Zikarsky debuted for the Australian Boomers during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.[23][26]
Career statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBL
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References
External links
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