It Took Some Time, but Rocco Zikarsky Is Beginning To Shine

Rocco Zikarsky’s NBL season got off to a very slow start and for most of the previous month, those struggles reached new peaks. But in a matchup against the Perth Wildcats, the young Australian center showed he might be ready to turn the corner.

Rocco Zikarsky / fiba.basketbal

Rocco Zikarsky’s play so far for the Brisbane Bullets has not matched his preseason ranking on draft boards, there’s no dancing around that. The situation with the Bullets hasn’t been ideal, but he’s not the only player to fail to meet expectations for them. Even with that in mind, more was expected from Zikarsky. He’s struggled on both ends of the floor and looked a step behind the play and overmatched physically.

But what we saw from Zikarsky in Round 9 of NBL action indicates that it might all finally be changing. 

In a matchup with the Perth Wildcats, the big man finally broke out of his rut. Going up against NBL Star Keanu Pinder and fellow Next Star Izan Almansa, Zikarsky posted a line of 13 points, seven rebounds, and a block on 6-of-9 shooting from the field in 19 minutes. The Bullets blew out the Wildcats by a final score of 105-84. Zikarsky himself played with much more purpose, assertiveness, and intent. Aspects of his game that have been scarce this season, and thus frustrating given his size. 

Zikarsky ran the floor, attacked the rim with authority, and demanded the ball out of pick-and-roll and against mismatches. This was the version of Zikarsky that put him in the top five of mock drafts before the season started. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. His improvement in this game alone even gave room for sympathy on some unfair non-calls he was the victim of. He is 7-foot-3, but at least one of these should’ve sent him to the free-throw line. 

With the Australian NBL on break for the FIBA Qualifiers window, there is hope Zikarsky can pick up where he left off when the Bullets are back in action against the Wildcats again towards the end of November. While the NBL takes great pride in its Next Stars program and player development, it’s not an easy or forgiving path by any means. If a player isn’t cutting it, and showing they can help their team win they will see their minutes slashed regardless of who they are. 

Zikarsky experienced this in the five games leading up to his standout performance. He managed to put up only 10 points, two blocks, and 13 rebounds during that stretch and played less than eight minutes in multiple games. Warning signs were being sent his way: until he proved otherwise, opportunities would be limited. 

Against the Wildcats, he responded, and likely earned himself more opportunities when NBL basketball returns for Round 10. There is still plenty of time left in the NBL season and even more time until the 2025 NBA Draft.

If Zikarsky can turn this performance against the Wildcats into a springboard for the remainder of the season, he’ll turn his slow start into a positive. A learning phase where he faced significant challenges and responded accordingly. It will be a sign of mental toughness, and refusing to roll over when things get tough. That mentality paired with quality play is exactly what teams are looking for in the NBA Draft.

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