Big man Rocco Zikarsky will hope to become the next Australian to join the NBA's ranks, officially declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.
After two seasons as an NBL Next Star for the Brisbane Bullet, the 18-year-old will now try his hand at being selected to the world's top league.
Despite a disappointing second season in Australia, Zikarsky is still viewed as a tantalising prospect, owing to his seven-foot-three frame and versatile play type.
MORE: NBA 2024-25 season awards tracker
Aussie rising star Rocco Zikarsky declares for NBA Draft
The Australian NBA contingent could be about to add another member, with teenager Rocco Zikarsky declaring for this year's draft.
NEWS: Brisbane Bullets center Rocco Zikarsky declared for the NBA Draft prior to the deadline, he told ESPN.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 29, 2025
The 7-foot-3, 18-year old Australian was a member of the NBL Next Stars program the past two seasons. He's already in the US preparing for the pre-draft process. pic.twitter.com/2YfQH1Kzoo
Following a 2024-25 NBL campaign with the Brisbane Bullets where they missed the post season, Zikarsky has now travelled to America and is preparing for the pre-draft process.
He has been one of the sport's most interesting names throughout his young career, with former NBA Global Academy director Marty Clarke saying last year that Zikarsky is one of the most intriguing prospects he has ever worked with.
"The thing I look for is how people move and Rocco was a very good straight-line runner," Clarke told Fox Sports.
"He moved very easily. I wouldn’t say he moved super quick and it wasn’t about the speed, he’s got coordination and he knows what he’s trying to do running wise.
"At 15 and 7-foot whatever he was at the time, you don’t expect them to be strong or quick or powerful but he was a very smooth mover and had an ability to stop and start. They were the first things that jumped out."
Zikarsky joins an impressive group of Aussies seeking to hear their names called in this years draft, including Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, Alex Condon, and Tyrese Proctor.
Rocco Zikarsky 2024-25 season stats
- 4.6 points per game
- 3.4 rebounds per game
- 0.3 assists per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 0.3 steals per game
- 52%FG
- 20%3PT
- 56%FT