Govern world basketball probability Rocco Zikarsky will forgo faculty {and professional} choices in america and signal with the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian Nationwide Basketball League Upcoming Stars program, he instructed ESPN on Thursday.
“I decided that the Next Stars opportunity was just too good a fit,” the 7-foot-3 Zikarsky instructed ESPN. “Being able to train daily with my Under-17 Australian national team coaches, alongside one of my idols Aron Baynes, in my hometown, for my home club, in the NBL, with my family close by, is a dream come true.
“Being the youngest participant ever to attach the Upcoming Stars is solely the icing on lead. I in reality stay up for what the era holds.”
Zikarsky emerged as one of the top prospects in his age group at last summer’s FIBA U17 World Cup, where he led the event in blocks and finished top five in scoring despite playing up as a 15-year old. He has since had dominant showings in the Australian U18 and U20 state championships, as well as playing professionally in the Australian NBL1 competition where he ranks third in player efficiency ranking (PER) and first in blocks while playing against older competition.
The son of a 6-10 German Olympic swimming bronze medalist and a 6-1 Australian champion ironwoman, Zikarsky has been growing the while two years on the NBA World Academy in Canberra, Australia, the place he has drawn really extensive hobby from faculty coaches in america. He says he was once being recruited by way of Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan, USC, Arizona and lots of colleges, in addition to the NBA’s G League Ignite program.
“I used to be crushed, however very appreciative of all of the faculty coaches that reached out to me and the hour they spent chatting to me about recruitment,” Zikarsky said. “My dad going to USC, so it was once no doubt an possibility I used to be eager about. G League was once additionally a thrilling possibility.”
Zikarsky becomes the second Australian player to commit to the NBL Next Stars program this summer, joining former Gonzaga commit Alex Toohey, who elected to change paths and sign with the Sydney Kings last month. The last Australian to sign as a Next Star was fellow NBA Global Academy alumnus Josh Giddey, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA draft after playing for the Adelaide 36ers.
The Next Stars program has gained steam this offseason in reeling in several highly touted international prospects currently projected to be drafted in 2024, including American guard A.J. Johnson (Illawarra), French big man Alex Sarr (Perth), Swedish wing Bobi Klintman (Cairns) and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand), while retaining German center Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne).
Zikarsky, who turns 17 next week, is not eligible to declare for the NBA draft until 2025 at the earliest.
“I’m fascinated with the later few years,” Zikarsky said. “I’ll be taking this chance to paintings sun-baked to build my sport and abilities and be informed from extra skilled avid gamers. I’m very fortunate to be coaching with boomers and ex-NBA avid gamers. I wish to remove all of it in and form essentially the most of each and every consultation with them so if and once I’m in a position I’ll be capable to form that soar.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft professional and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics provider used by NBA, NCAA and Global groups.
