Position
Center
D.O.B
Jul 11, 2006
Height
220
cm
Weight
103
Kg
Rocco Zikarsky entered the NBL24 as the youngest Next Star in history. Standing at 7'3" at the age of just 16 upon signing for the Bullets, he had turned 17 by the time the new season started - but that tender age isn't limiting his opportunities.
Despite not being draft eligible until 2025, Zikarsky had already been in contact with a number of high-profile collegiate and international programs, including Duke, Gonzaga and the NBA G-League Ignite, and is an NBA Global Academy scholar.
After playing alongside Kings Next Star Alex Toohey at the Centre of Excellence, Zikarsky has carved out a role as a spark-plug in the paint off the bench behind former NBA center Aron Baynes and established NBL talent Tyrell Harrison, and has already amassed one of the most passionate followings of any player in the league, thanks to his penchant for big blocks and even bigger dunks.
Zikarsky said: "I'm really excited to start my professional career and chose to sign with the Bullets because of the coaching and community. I watched my first Bullets game back in 2017 and ever since I fell in love with the game, so it's a full circle moment. Being from South East Queensland and being given the opportunity to don a Bullets jersey is an honour."
Photos: Getty Images
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What the Experts Say
"I had the pleasure of coaching Rocco at the World Championships last year and saw that he was one of the best bigs for his age at that point, and now to be his first coach at a pro level is really exciting individually and for the club."
Justin Schueller
Brisbane Bullets coach
"Rocco is a unique prospect in a variety of ways and the fact he’s the youngest ever player to become an NBL Next Star makes him a historic addition to the program. Given his young age, there’s a clear development plan in place for Rocco that will involve him spending multiple years as a Next Star."
Liam Santamaria
General Manager of Next Stars Recruitment
"This is a significant coup for us. We firmly believe Rocco has the potential to be one of Australia's next basketball superstars. For him to commit to the NBL this early further shows the trust and respect players from all around the country and, in fact, the world, have for our Next Stars program."
Jeremy Loeliger
NBL Commissioner
