‘Skittles, M&Ms and LCM bars’: How 18-year-old Rocco Zikarsky’s unconventional diet has him on a path to the NBA

One of the NBL’s hottest young talents, who appears destined for the NBA, is turning the dietary requirements for an elite athlete on its head, as he reaps the benefits of a not so ‘healthy’ regime.

Rising Australian basketball star Rocco Zikarsky is living every professional athlete’s dream — bingeing on a high-calorie, sugar packed diet after a dietitian found he was eating too clean to meet the elite physical requirements of a future NBA first-round draft pick.

The 18-year-old NBL Next Star is devouring chocolate milk, Skittles, M&Ms and LCM bars as part of a 5,500-calorie-per-day diet — more than double the recommended 2,400 daily caloric intake for an average 18-year-old male — and it’s working wonders.

Increased energy levels have aided his work on the court and in the weightroom, with the result an extra 10kg of muscle added to his enormous 7’3” frame.

“I don’t know how many chocolate milks Rocco has now, but it’s something ridiculous,” mum Kylie Zikarsky said, laughing.

“I didn’t even know what an LCM bar was but the dietitian said he has to have four bars before he plays a game.

Rocco Zikarsky has plenty of literal and figurative food for thought as he chases his NBA draft dream. Picture: Supplied

“I was thinking, ‘holy, moly’, it’s a sugar hit like you’ve never had before and it would probably give me a heart attack but it’s really helped Rocco stabilise his energy levels to be able to work even harder.

“Before he trains he’ll have a handful of Skittles and, if the session goes longer than an hour, he’ll have another handful (and) he has a handful of M & Ms before he goes to bed.”

Mum says the diet is “crazy, but it’s working”, although there’s one thing Zikarsky needs more than calories to fulfil his destiny — an opportunity to play more.

Millions at stake

Pre-season, Zikarsky told Code Sports he was hoping to impact as the primary back-up to Brisbane’s star centre Tyrell Harrison, who commands a role in excess of 27 minutes per contest as one of the league’s best big men.

Through seven games, though, Zikarsky’s minutes have only marginally increased — from 6.58 to 9.51 — and he’s averaging just 3.9 points and 3 rebounds.

Kylie Zikarsky told Code Sports her son has had “moments” of disappointment as he rides the pine.

Tyrell Harrison has emerged as the Bullets’ No. 1 big man. Picture: Getty Images

You can understand it — the NBA is all about being seen. The difference between potential and reality is literally worth millions. Pick No. 1 in next year’s draft will sign a contract that guarantees him US$11.5 million in year-one, alone. Over five years of the rookie scale deal that could end up being US$75 million. Pick No. 15 will pocket nearly US$4 million in their rookie season, while pick No. 30 is an instant multi-millionaire with over US$2 million.

So, after last round’s clash with Cairns, where Zikarsky played just 5.22, his lowest total of the season, it’s understandable he’d feel “gutted”.

“He obviously wants more time and opportunity … (but) Rocco also understands it’s a team approach,” she said.

“It can be frustrating at times but he knows he is in for the long haul.”

‘You’ll feel sick’: Tackling the trolls

The nasty element on social media has revelled in Zikarsky’s limited role but he’s faced sickening abuse since the moment he shot to basketball prominence as a 15-year-old.

Against a backdrop of calls for the Bullets to give their unicorn more playing time, the family frustrations are being tempered by realistic expectations, limits on social media and the help of Milwaukee Bucks’ Australian sports psychologist Craig Manning.

“The hardest part is coping with the criticism … but Rocco is so used to it,” Kylie said.

“‘Oh, you are only in basketball because you are tall’, that has been the narrative since day one.

“People can be so mean and cruel with what they say. You’ll read it and you’ll feel sick.

“(Manning) puts everything into perspective.

“Rocco really enjoys talking to him. It has been helpful in managing the process.”

His family and the Bullets have encouraged him to stop reading his own press — the good and the bad.

Zikarsky has already made his Boomers debut by the age of 18, but his journey so far has been marred by sickening abuse on social media. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Blocking outside noise

Bullets’ coach Justin Schueller has copped heat from various pundits, most notably the NBL’s Damien Lowery, over Zikarsky’s lack of court time. The hard-nosed coach said he didn’t “care or listen to” outside noise, adamant his young star was on the path to success.

“Everyone looking at court time or statlines, it’s not really what it should be about, it should be about ‘is he getting better and controlling what he can control?’ and he is absolutely doing that,” Schueller said.

“When you look at draft boards, there’s a reason he’s right up there because people who come and watch him in practice and spend time with us and take the time to talk with us know exactly what he’s about.

“He’s a phenomenal kid and what Roc’s doing every single day gets him to a position where we can trust him and believe in what he can do on the floor and there’s going to be a game coming up soon where I know he’ll be a contributing factor to the win.”

Zikarsky’s manager Damian Martin — one of the NBL’s finest ever players — said those in Rocco’s circle were keeping a level head, with the big picture in sight.

Those around him are keeping Zikarsky’s feet on the ground, apart from when he dunks of course. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We keep encouraging Rocco, be a great teammate, first and foremost, push yourself every single day and let’s see what happens from there, because NBA scouts know that he’s only 18,” Martin said.

“He is a competitor, he wants to win, he wants to be out there helping but he also understands that, at his age, there’s a player in Tyrell Harrison ahead of him, right now, who he’s got to encourage and push for the betterment of the team.

“When he’s coming up against kids his age he’s one of the best players in the world for his age and then you get brought back to reality when you’re coming up against grown men with years of experience and physical maturation.

“Wearing an NBA lens, they’re going to want to know has there been development? has there been maturity? Is he coachable?

“Everything we’ve asked of him from a sports management point of view, he’s been more than happy to do.”

The bright lights of the NBA await Rocco Zikarsky, but those around him are keeping him level-headed. Picture: Brisbane Bullets Media

Eyes on ultimate prize

NBA teams are cognisant of Rocco’s situation in Brisbane, one scout told Code Sports.

They see the raw potential — and it will only take a breakout performance for the draft buzz to intensify.

“If he plays two good games he’ll be right back on top of draft boards,” one scout said.

“I think expectations were too high to begin with, he needs time to develop which is normal for bigs.”

While there’s the potential for Zikarsky to return for a third year as an NBL Next Star, mum says that’s not a consideration — yet.

“I don’t think Rocco has it in his head that he’ll be doing a third year in the NBL,” she said.

“But, when you are driven the way he is, you don’t have a backup plan until you need that backup plan.

“We know it’s there, but we plan to leave for pre-draft workouts at the end of March.

“If it changes, it changes, but we’re not going to worry about it now.”

Originally published as ‘Skittles, M&Ms and LCM bars’: How 18-year-old Rocco Zikarsky’s unconventional diet has him on a path to the NBA