Future NBA draft prospect Rocco Zikarsky will head a next generation Boomers team in Japan

The Boomers are set to dedicate June’s Japan series to developing stars of the future as seven-foot-three NBA prospect Rocco Zikarsky tops a young Australia team named for the Nissay Cup.

BENDIGO, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: Rocco Zikarsky of Australia warms up before the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifying match between Australia Boomers and Korea at Red Energy Arena on February 22, 2024 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Australia’s next wave of Boomers will be unleashed against Japan in June, headed up by future seven-foot-three NBA draft prospect Rocco Zikarsky.

In a bid to build the program for the long-term, a collection of young guns have been named in an Australia select team to take on the Japanese for the 2024 Nissay Cup.

NBL Next Stars Zikarsky and Alex Toohey will join Ben Henshall and Alex Condon alongside a mix of veteran players.

Rocco Zikarsky will line up for the Boomers to take on Japan in June series. Picture: AFP

Illawarra Hawks big man Sam Froling and NZ Breakers guard Mitch McCarron have also been named, adding previous experience on the international stage.

Other inclusions from the NBL include off-season signings Elijah Pepper (Perth Wildcats) and Keli Leaupepe (Sydney Kings), Melbourne United forward Kyle Bowen and Brisbane veteran Mitch Norton.

Two other Australians plying their trade at the collegiate level have been named with the University of Portland’s Tyler Robertson and Charleston Cougars’ Reyne Smith.

NCAA young stars Johnny Furphy and Tyrese Proctor were in the mix but were unable to join the team due to prior commitments in the USA.

With limited opportunities across the international calendar, Jason Smith, Basketball Australia’s EGM of High Performance reinforced the importance of providing additional avenues for players.

“This tour of Asia helps us bring a broader group across our senior teams together and reinforce that they are a part of the whole,” Smith said.

“The Boomers aren’t defined by the final 12 that eventually head to tournaments like the Olympics but a sum of every player that contributes and competes.

“Our aspiration continues in providing a multifaceted system where every player feels supported in their journey as an Australian basketballer. This starts from their days as a junior representative on to the biggest stages in the world.”

Alex Toohey will join a group of young guns in Boomers team bound for Japan. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Smith said there is a clear objective mirrored in the selections with young guns featuring alongside a host of career pros and seasoned veterans.

“Our players have a relationship with our programs in different shapes and forms over their careers and we are conscious of the demands that this game takes on each player, physically and mentally,” he said.

“We remain in communication with all of our players throughout the process and their insights and expectations play an essential part in their development.

“We are committed to providing as much opportunity as we can to invest in the improvement of our future.”

A selected group from that series will return to attend training camp in late June with the Olympic-select Boomers squad in Melbourne.

The games against Japan will be played at the Hokkaido Sports Center in Hokkaido on June 22 and 23.

Originally published as Future NBA draft prospect Rocco Zikarsky will head a next generation Boomers team in Japan