
4
Feb
Aussies in the NBA
All-Star Rocco Zikarsky gets his 2026 'LA Story'
Highlights
Rocco Zikarsky earns G League All-Star selection after a productive rookie season with Iowa.
- Rocco Zikarsky: A big project with big upside
- Rocco Zikarsky shines in Wolves' pre-season debut
- Where every Australian men's player was selected in the 2025 NBA Draft
Queensland centre Rocco Zikarsky will play at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend for G League All-Star Team Blue in Los Angeles on February 16 (AEDT).
Zikarsky, 19, has been tearing it up in the G League after being drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 45th pick in the 2025 Draft.
He signed a two-way contract and has already built a solid reputation and even more solid numbers for the Iowa Wolves
Rocco Zikarsky — 2025–26 G League (Iowa Wolves):
- GP: 16 │ MIN: 25.4 │ PTS: 14.9 │ REB: 9.4 (OREB 2.6) │ AST: 1.2 │ BLK: 1.4 │ FG: 53.0% │ 3PT: 31.8% (0.9 3PM) │ FT: 87.9% │ TOV: 2.5 │ DD: 7
Zikarsky delivered a highly productive first G League season, establishing himself as a reliable starting centre and a consistent interior presence across 16 games.
He's averaged 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.4 minutes, shooting 53.0% from the field and an impressive 87.9% at the free-throw line. His scoring, unsurprisingly leans heavily on paint touches and rim finishes, but he also showed early stretch indicators, attempting nearly three threes per game.
Zikarsky started 13 of 16 games, producing 15.7 points and 10.2 rebounds as a starter, compared with 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds off the bench. His impact scaled cleanly with minutes, reinforcing his viability as a rotation big rather than a developmental cameo.
Rebounding is a defining strength. He pulled down 2.6 offensive rebounds per game, consistently generating second-chance opportunities, and has record seven double-doubles, including six in January as his role expanded. His January split (15.3 points, 10.4 rebounds) marks a clear month-to-month progression from December.
Game-state splits are telling. In losses, Zikarsky’s usage and production jumped (16.7 points, 10.5 rebounds), suggesting he became a focal option when the Wolves were chasing games. In wins, he was more efficient from deep (42.3% from three) and posted a strong +8.3 plus-minus, indicating cleaner role execution within winning lineups.
Home performances were slightly stronger than on the road, while rest patterns showed resilience: he remained productive on zero- and one-day turnarounds, an important indicator for a young big adjusting to the professional schedule.
Defensively, the numbers were steady rather than dominant (1.4 blocks, 0.4 steals), but his rebounding volume and foul discipline supported lineup stability. Turnovers (2.5 per game) remain an area for refinement as his touches increase.
Zikarsky’s G League season showed NBA-track indicators: efficient interior scoring, real rebounding gravity, functional shooting touch, and the ability to handle starter minutes at a young age. The production wasn’t flash-driven — it was repeatable, role-based, and scalable.
For a 7-3 rookie centre, this was a strong baseline season that firmly positioned him as a legitimate long-term development piece rather than a stash project.
His elevation to a NBA roster spot is only a matter of time and that's great news for Timberwolves and Australian Boomers fans.
Exclusive Newsletter
Aussies in your Inbox: Don't miss a point, assist rebound or steal by Aussies competing overseas. Sign-up now!


























