A local kid with a 7-foot frame and a sky-high dream — former Northside Wizards centre Rocco Zikarsky is headed to the NBA, drafted by the Chicago Bulls 45th overall and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Where It All Started: Boondall’s Own Giant
Before NBA lights and international headlines, Rocco Zikarsky was simply the tall teen training on the hardwood at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Born in 2006 on the Sunshine Coast, Zikarsky’s rise began on Brisbane’s northside, where he wore the blue and white of the Northside Wizards. Even as a junior, his shot-blocking and size drew crowds. With an Olympic swimmer for a father and a decorated ironwoman for a mum, elite sport ran in his blood—but basketball was where he made his name.
He played representative basketball for Queensland South and trained with the NBA Global Academy in Canberra before returning to Boondall to continue with the Wizards. There, his presence in the paint became a familiar (and feared) sight on local courts. Watch Rocco’s junior Wizards highlights on TikTok.
From NBL Prospect to NBA Potential
In 2023, the Brisbane Bullets signed Rocco as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program. At just 17, he made his professional debut with six points and four blocks in only 10 minutes. By his second season, he’d earned a starting role and delivered a standout performance in November 2024 with 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks against Perth.
Over two seasons, he played 45 games for Brisbane, averaging 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting efficiently from the field. More importantly, he showed flashes of elite rim protection and mobility that caught the attention of NBA scouts.
Scouting reports consistently noted his size (7′3″ barefoot, 7′4″ with shoes), 257 lb frame, and a 9′7″ standing reach—traits that made him one of the tallest and longest prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Draft Night: A New Chapter
Rocco was officially selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 45th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, but his rights were quickly traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pre-arranged deal. He is expected to sign a two-way contract, splitting his time between the Timberwolves and their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.
Though still raw, analysts agree that his upside is undeniable. With elite defensive tools and the discipline to keep developing, he may soon earn minutes in one of the world’s toughest leagues.
Local Legacy: A Star Born in Boondall
In Boondall and Aspley, Rocco is more than a draft pick—he’s a hometown hero. His journey from local courts to global stages is inspiring a new generation of young players at the Northside Wizards and beyond. The same courts where he first learned to pivot and block are now filled with kids hoping to follow in his giant footsteps.
His story reminds us all that big dreams can grow from small communities—and that even the tallest journeys can start right here at home.
Published 27-06-2025