7-3 prospect Zikarsky commits to NBL Next Stars

Prime worldwide basketball prospect Rocco Zikarsky will forgo faculty {and professional} choices in the USA and signal with the Brisbane Bullets of the Australian Nationwide Basketball League Subsequent Stars program, he instructed ESPN on Thursday.

“I made a decision that the Subsequent Stars alternative was simply too good a match,” the 7-foot-3 Zikarsky instructed ESPN. “With the ability to practice each day with my Beneath-17 Australian nationwide crew coaches, alongside certainly one of my idols Aron Baynes, in my hometown, for my dwelling membership, within the NBL, with my household shut by, is a dream come true.

“Being the youngest participant ever to affix the Subsequent Stars is simply the icing on prime. I actually sit up for what the longer term holds.”

Zikarsky emerged as one of many prime prospects in his age group ultimately summer season’s FIBA U17 World Cup, the place he led the occasion in blocks and completed prime 5 in scoring regardless of enjoying up as a 15-year outdated. He has since had dominant showings within the Australian U18 and U20 state championships, in addition to enjoying professionally within the Australian NBL1 competitors the place he ranks third in participant effectivity rating (PER) and first in blocks whereas enjoying in opposition to older competitors.

The son of a 6-10 German Olympic swimming bronze medalist and a 6-1 Australian champion ironwoman, Zikarsky has been growing the previous two years on the NBA World Academy in Canberra, Australia, the place he has drawn appreciable curiosity from faculty coaches in the USA. He says he was being recruited by Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan, USC, Arizona and many faculties, in addition to the NBA’s G League Ignite program.

“I used to be overwhelmed, however very appreciative of all the faculty coaches that reached out to me and the time they spent chatting to me about recruitment,” Zikarsky mentioned. “My dad went to USC, so it was undoubtedly an possibility I used to be severe about. G League was additionally an thrilling possibility.”

Zikarsky turns into the second Australian participant to decide to the NBL Subsequent Stars program this summer season, becoming a member of former Gonzaga commit Alex Toohey, who elected to alter paths and signal with the Sydney Kings final month. The final Australian to signal as a Subsequent Star was fellow NBA World Academy alumnus Josh Giddey, who was the No. 6 decide within the 2021 NBA draft after enjoying for the Adelaide 36ers.

The Subsequent Stars program has gained steam this offseason in reeling in a number of extremely touted worldwide prospects at present projected to be drafted in 2024, together with American guard A.J. Johnson (Illawarra), French huge man Alex Sarr (Perth), Swedish wing Bobi Klintman (Cairns) and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand), whereas retaining German heart Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne).

Zikarsky, who turns 17 subsequent week, will not be eligible to declare for the NBA draft till 2025 on the earliest.

“I am excited in regards to the subsequent few years,” Zikarsky mentioned. “I will be taking this chance to work exhausting to develop my sport and abilities and be taught from extra skilled gamers. I am very fortunate to be coaching with Boomers and ex-NBA gamers. I must take all of it in and take advantage of each session with them so if and once I’m prepared I will have the ability to make that bounce.”

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft professional and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and worldwide groups.