Rocco Zikarsky
Rocco Zikarsky, born on July 11, 2006, in Hurstville (Sydney), New South Wales, Australia, is a notable figure in professional basketball. His athletic prowess is deeply rooted in his family history, as he is the son of German Olympic medalist swimmer Björn Zikarsky and Australian ironwoman champion Kylie Zikarsky. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Rocco was immersed in a sports-oriented environment, which undoubtedly influenced his path. He is also the nephew of Bengt Zikarsky and has three siblings: Ruben, Jade, and Lennox. Zikarsky stands at an imposing height of 2.21 m (7 feet 3 inches) and weighs 103 kg (227 lbs), with a wingspan of 2.25 m (7’4 ¾”) and a standing reach of 2.91 m (9’6 ½”), making him a formidable presence on the court as a center. He shoots left-handed.
Zikarsky’s basketball journey began with a solid foundation in Queensland representative teams. He attended Brisbane Grammar School during his early teenage years and was a standout player at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra. His talent was further honed at the BA Centre of Excellence, where, in 2023, he played in the NBL1 East, averaging 9.9 points, six rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in seven games. His international career saw him lead Australia to victory at the Albert Schweitzer-Tournament in 2024, where he earned the MVP award. During this tournament, he averaged an impressive 18.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 26 minutes per game, with 73.1% shooting efficiency. He also made his debut for the Australian Boomers during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Prior to his NBA draft, he played for the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL).
The 2025 NBA Draft marked a significant milestone in Zikarsky’s career. On April 30, 2025, he officially declared for the draft and subsequently participated in the NBA draft combine. His impressive measurements included 2.21 m (7’3”) barefoot and 116 kg (257 lbs). He was selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round by the Chicago Bulls. However, his draft rights were immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On July 9, 2025, Zikarsky signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves, solidifying his entry into the NBA. As a rookie, he is currently listed as a player for both the Minnesota Timberwolves and their G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, wearing jersey number 44. His professional career history includes playing for the BA Centre of Excellence (2023), Brisbane Bullets (2023–2025), and Minnesota Timberwolves (2025–present), with an assignment to the Iowa Wolves (2025–present).
