Bogues to the future: Why Rocco has big goals

Rocco Zikarsky turned heads as soon as he entered the NBA Draft Combine, measuring in as the tallest player in the class.

As he prepares to impress in the scrimmage portion of the combine, the 18-year-old is reflecting on the mentorship of some of Australia’s greatest-ever big men that helped get him to this point.

“All the Australian bigs sort of have this unspoken bond, that you can just pick up the phone whenever and if you’ve got anything to say to them or to ask them, you can do that,” he said.

That list includes the likes of Luc Longley, Aron Baynes, and Jock Landale, but it’s been Andrew Bogut who perhaps has had a big impact on the former Bullets Next Star.

“I’ve been speaking to him for the past two years now and ever since the under-17 World Cup,” Zikarsky said. “He’s been a great mentor for me.”

In 2005, Bogut was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, so if there is anyone who understands what it means to prepare for the next level, it’s him.

“Watching him, he was a dominant big man. I watched him growing up through the ranks,” Zikarsky added. “Bogues has shown that he can do it, Luc Longley had a great career, Jock Landale is making his own legacy right now.”

Still a teenager, it’s Zikarsky’s potential that has had NBA eyes following him since his junior Australian opportunities, and now he’s one step closer to his ultimate goal.

“I just want to add to the list of great Australian basketballers who’ve played in the NBA.”