7-3 possibility Zikarsky devotes to NBL Next Stars
Top international basketball prospect Rocco Zikarsky will pass up college and professional options in the United States and sign with the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian National Basketball League Next Stars program, he told ESPN on Thursday.
“I decided that the Next Stars opportunity was just too great a fit,” the 7-foot-3 Zikarsky informed ESPN. “Being able to train everyday with my Under-17 Australian national team coaches, along with among my idols Aron Baynes, in my home town, for my home club, in the NBL, with my household nearby, is a dream become a reality.
“Being the youngest player ever to sign up with the Next Stars is simply the icing on top. I truly eagerly anticipate what the future holds.”
Zikarsky emerged as one of the leading prospects in his age group at last summer season’s FIBA U17 World Cup, where he led the occasion in blocks and completed top five in scoring despite playing up as a 15-year old. He has actually because had dominant provings in the Australian U18 and U20 state championships, in addition to playing expertly in the Australian NBL1 competitors where he ranks 3rd in player effectiveness ranking (PER) and first in blocks while playing against older competition.Editor’s Picks
The boy of a 6-10 German Olympic swimming bronze medalist and a 6-1 Australian champ ironwoman, Zikarsky has been establishing the previous 2 years at the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia, where he has drawn substantial interest from college coaches in the United States. He says he was being hired by Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan, USC, Arizona and many schools, in addition to the NBA’s G League Ignite program.
“I was overwhelmed, but very pleased of all the college coaches that connected to me and the time they spent chatting to me about recruitment,” Zikarsky stated. “My father went to USC, so it was absolutely an option I was major about. G League was likewise an exciting option.”
Zikarsky ends up being the 2nd Australian player to devote to the NBL Next Stars program this summertime, signing up with former Gonzaga commit Alex Toohey, who elected to change courses 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 choice in the 2021 NBA draft after playing for the Adelaide 36ers.
The Next Stars program has acquired steam this offseason in attracting numerous highly promoted international prospects presently predicted to be drafted in 2024, including American guard A.J. Johnson (Illawarra), French huge male Alex Sarr (Perth), Swedish wing Bobi Klintman (Cairns) and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand), while maintaining German center Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne).
Zikarsky, who turns 17 next week, is not qualified to declare for the NBA draft up until 2025 at the earliest.
“I’m fired up about the next couple of years,” Zikarsky said. “I’ll be taking this opportunity to strive to establish my game and skills and gain from more skilled players. I’m really fortunate to be training with Boomers and ex-NBA players. I require to take it all in and maximize every session with them so if and when I’m ready I’ll be able to make that jump.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft professional and the creator and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal hunting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.