Former Brisbane Grammar School student and Northside Wizards centre Rocco Zikarsky has made the leap to the NBA, drafted at pick #45 by the Chicago Bulls and immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Schoolyard to Show-court: From Brisbane Grammar to the Global Stage
Rocco attended Brisbane Grammar School in Spring Hill, juggling classrooms and intensive training — a balancing act familiar to student-athletes anywhere. His towering frame and raw timing soon set him apart and laid the groundwork for a professional pathway that his natural-born gifts, talent and hard work would soon make possible.
Elite Genes: Mum “Kozza” & Dad Björn
Mum Kylie “Kozza” Zikarsky (née Neuendorf) was a champion surf-lifesaving ironwoman on Queensland beaches during the 1990s, later becoming an AUSTSWIM-accredited coach and founder of Kozzaquatics on the Sunshine Coast. Her myriad accomplishments include elite surf carnivals, state titles and, more recently, community recognition for her work as a youth swimming coach.
Dad Björn Zikarsky brought Olympic prestige to the family, winning bronze for Germany in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. One of Europe’s top sprint freestylers of the 1990s, he also competed at multiple World Championships.
Together, the 6′1″ ironwoman and 6′10″ Olympian passed down more than just discipline. They gave their son a powerful athletic foundation. Rocco’s towering frame, agility, and elite mentality are proof of pedigree in motion.
Wizards Roots: Boondall Beginnings
Rocco cut his teeth with the Northside Wizards in Boondall, playing above his age group and anchoring junior teams with shot-blocking and rebounding.
His standout form earned him a place on the Queensland South U16 team and led to a scholarship with the NBA Global Academy—yet he remained committed to his Wizards home and returned each off-season to wear Wizards colours.
His highlight reel on the Wizards’ TikTok account shows glimpses of early versatility and athleticism, reinforcing his development as a local talent.
Watch Rocco’s junior Wizards highlights
NBL Fast-Track: Youngest Next Star in League History
In July 2023, Rocco signed with the Brisbane Bullets through the NBL’s Next Stars program—becoming the youngest player in league history to do so at age 16.
He made his professional debut in January 2024 with six points and four blocks in just 10 minutes against the Sydney Kings. Over two seasons, he played 45 games, averaging 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and nearly a block per game, while shooting over 50% from the field. His breakout performance came in November 2024 when, in his first start, he posted 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks against Perth. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lrb_BgifCGc
Scouts were drawn to his size—7′3″ in bare feet, 257 lbs, with an impressive 9′7″ standing reach—alongside his mobility and developing skill set.
Draft Night: Bulls Pick, Wolves Future
On 26 June 2025, the Chicago Bulls selected Rocco with pick #45 in the NBA Draft. Minutes later, his rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pre-arranged deal. He is expected to sign a two-way contract with Minnesota and their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves.
NBA analysts see him as a high-upside project: raw but with elite defensive potential and physical traits that are nearly impossible to teach.
Still Brisbane, Always
Whether he’s suiting up in Minneapolis or back home in the off-season, Rocco Zikarsky remains a Brisbane original. His rise—from Grammar schoolyards and Boondall courts to NBA arenas—reflects the power of local support, elite genes, and relentless effort. For young athletes with big dreams, his story is proof that the world stage isn’t as far away as it seems.
Published 28-06-2025
