NBL basketball news: Rocco Zikarsky showcases incredible talent on Brisbane Bullets debut

The 222cm teen hailed Australian basketball’s next big thing has put on a clinic in his first outing for Brisbane Bullets. Watch the best of the highlights here.

It was ‘only’ against a US college team but, if there was any doubt 222cm teenage giant Rocco Zikarsky wasn’t the real deal, he put that to bed with an incredible debut outing.

On an almost mystical night likely to be etched in Aussie basketball folklore, 1500 fans at the University of Sunshine Coast were treated to the first big step in the highly-touted Brisbane Bullets’ Next Star’s career — one many believe beckons NBA and international superstardom.

And what an outing it was against California Baptist University for the southeast Queenslander, just one month removed from his 17th birthday.

Zikarsky’s size is striking but the ability that goes with it helped him dominate his Cal Baptist opponents to the tune of 23 points impacting at both ends with eight rebounds and six blocks in a 75-47 win. The points came on 11 of 16 from the field in just 20 minutes of playing time.

222cm @RoccoZikarsky is just 17 & making quite a statement on debut for the @BrisbaneBullets in their pre-season clash with @CBUmbb 😳

Catch all the #NBL24 pre-season action live via the NBL app 👉https://t.co/KZSjc6j5ctpic.twitter.com/UXzOxnLUTq

— John Casey (@JohnCasey2880) August 10, 2023

Rocco Zikarsky in action against California Baptist University.

It wasn’t just the size and numbers that stood out, though.

Checking into the game midway through the first quarter, Zikarsky showed great early signs, his first pro bucket coming on an alley-oop from new Bullet Mitch Norton - who made his debut when his giant teammate was aged just five.

Rocco Zikarsky has taken a seat, but he's already up to 19 points and four blocks - including this incredible run 😮‍💨

Catch all the #NBL24 pre-season action live on the NBL app 👉https://t.co/EmKQRE9zh9pic.twitter.com/QikqHaaEgx

— NBL (@NBL) August 10, 2023

With eight points at the half, Zikarsky exploded in the third, scoring 13 in a row for the Bullets on a variety of post moves that showed off his nifty footwork and brute strength.

Yes, CBU is not an NBL team and Zikarsky will face far stiffer competition when the season-proper tips off, but there’s an ultra confidence in him that few teenagers possess - he demanded the ball from his more senior teammates and knew exactly what he was going to do when they honoured him.

It was a special night for Zikarsky in more ways than one — he came through the USC Rip City junior program, so many of those in attendance were his friends and family.

“It’s special to come back and play in front of everyone I’ve grown up around,” Zikarsky said.

“I’ve been to a Bullets game back here in 2017, so to come back and be in this position to play in front of everyone (is special).”

Rocco Zikarsky in action at the Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw Photography

Zikarsky has a two-year Next Star deal with the Bullets, with many of the belief he would would see limited playing time in season one as he learned his craft behind Boomers great Aron Baynes and fellow giant Tyrell Harrison.

But, if this is the sort of performance he can get close to on a nightly basis, he might just force the issue for new Bullets coach Justin Schueller.

It’s been a long time since the Boomers have had a genuine dominant monster in the medal, the last being Andrew Bogut but the potential on display from Zikarsky will only fuel the hope he can be a key contributor in an Aussie program already touted as a perennial medal contender behind the likes of young NBA stars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels.

Without Nathan Sobey and new imports Shannon Scott and Chris Smith, the Bullets gave a first taste of what they will look like under former Melbourne United assistant Schueller, holding the Lancers to just 20 per cent from the field in a defence-first performance that they fought out right until the final buzzer - despite the 27-point margin.

Another young gun in Josh Bannan impressed in his Bullets debut with 12 points and nine boards, giving a glimpse of why the Indiana Pacers brought him in for off-season workouts earlier this year.

For CBU, only reserve forward Kendal Coleman managed double digits with 10, while Hunter Goodrich corralled a game-high 12 boards.

Originally published as NBL basketball news: Rocco Zikarsky showcases incredible talent on Brisbane Bullets debut