Photo: Brisbane Bullets Media

Despite NBL pre-season campaigns barely beginning to get underway, Rocco Zikarsky is already capturing the hearts and minds of the Bullets faithful – who are expecting big things from the local Next Star.

While the 17-year-old will certainly have to fight for his minutes on court with established centre duo Aron Baynes and Tyrell Harrison, as well as versatile former collegiate big Josh Bannan, his ceiling of potential could see him become one of the most dominant Australian basketballers of his generation.

“The sky’s the limit at this point for him,” Brisbane head coach Justn Schueller told 10 News. “The beauty I feel about it is he’s trusted us on he next part of his journey.

“It’s our job to move him up the food chain here. What we know is if we’re doing our job with him, that’s also going to be a success point for us.”

Zikarsky will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Adelaide Next Star and current OKC and Boomers guard Josh Giddey in utilising the NBL as a platform from which to launch a successful NBA and international career.

The 220-centimetre tall centre’s youth means he won’t be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2025 – but he’s already firming as a potential first-round pick, according to many experts. 

Zikarsky is looking to develop his game in the mould of two of the most high potential seven-footers currently in the NBA.

“I understand on this team and in any environment that your minutes are earned. You’re not just going to get handouts,” Zikarsky said.

“I want to grab facets from different people’s games and still be the traditional big man, but extend the range out to the three-line like a Victor (Wembanyama), like a Chet (Holmgren).”

The Bullets’ season gets underway on Friday, September 29 against the Adelaide 36ers.