Aussies Abroad: Zikarsky shines in NBA pre-season debut

Former Brisbane Bullet and NBL Next Star Rocco Zikarsky has made a strong impression during his NBA pre-season debut.

The 19-year-old, who was selected by Minnesota with the 45th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, contributed 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal, in just 13 minutes of action, to help the Timberwolves defeat Denver, headlined by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, 126-116.

Zikarsky’s All-Star teammate Anthony Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season, has already heaped praise on the Australian rookie’s start to training camp.

“Rocco blocked my shot during a drill today and I’m like, ‘how?’ – this doesn’t even make sense,” Edwards said during a recent team media availability.

Zikarsky, whose Wolves teammate Joe Ingles also had 3 points and 4 dimes in that win, was just one of a number of former NBL Next Stars to hit the court so far this pre-season.

For the New York Knicks, former Melbourne United big man Ariel Hukporti helped his side win both Abu Dhabi clashes against Philadelphia, firstly 99-84 on Thursday and then 113-104 on Saturday.

Across the two wins, the German centre totalled 11 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist.

Finally, at the North Charleston Coliseum, former Next Stars Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City) and LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) locked horns.

The Thunder won the pre-season fixture 135-114, thanks to former New Zealand Breaker Dieng’s 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal.

In the loss, former Illawarra Hawk and one-time NBA All-Star Ball produced 11 points, 3 dimes and 2 boards.