22
Jan
Aussies in G League
Zikarsky’s G League numbers are NBA-ready
Rocco Zikarsky #44 of the Iowa Wolves handles the ball during the game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on January 4, 2026 (AEDT) at Casey's Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo: Jasey Bradwell/NBAE via Getty Images)
Highlights
Teenage centre Rocco Zikarsky posts efficient G League numbers for Iowa Wolves in Tip-Off Tournament
- Rocco Zikarsky follows in Aussie giant's footsteps
- Rocco Zikarsky shines in Wolves' pre-season debut
- How the destiny of four Aussies changed in 10 NBA Draft picks
Rocco Zikarsky is a teenager among grown men but the 19-year-old Queenslander is putting up NBA numbers in the developmental G League for the Iowa Wolves, the Minnesota Timberwolves affiliate.
The Timberwolves took the then 18-year-old 2.21m centre and former NBL Next Star with the 45th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, clearly with an eye on his future growth.
He's yet to make his NBA debut but it's only a matter of time after ripping down a career-high 20 rebounds to go with 18 points on 50% from the field in a two-point loss to the Long Island Nets 108-106 last Monday.
Zikarsky is fourth on the Timberwolves depth chart at centre behind Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Joan Bellinger. The Wolves are 27-17 and third in the Northwest Division.
Rocco Zikarsky — 2025–26 G League Tip-Off Tournament
Team: Iowa Wolves
Age: 19 │ Height: 7-3 │ Weight: 227 lbs │ Draft: 2025 Rd 2, Pick 45
Production (Per Game) — Regular Season
- Points: 14.4
- Rebounds: 8.5 (2.3 ORB)
- Assists: 1.2
- Blocks: 2.2
- Steals: 0.5
- Turnovers: 2.9
- Fouls: 1.4
- FG: 56.4%
- 3PT: 30.8% (0.7 on 2.4 attempts)
- FT: 84.2%
- Minutes: 24.4
Scoring Profile
- Interior First: Rim runs, seals, offensive rebounds
- Stretch Flashes: 2–3 three-point attempts per game keep defenses honest
- Punishes Switches: Increased scoring in losses reflects higher self-creation responsibility
Key shift: His points are now coming within structured offense, not just broken plays.
Efficiency & Growth Signals
- True finishing: 56.4% FG on increased volume
- Free throws: Jumped to 84.2%, a critical development marker for a teenage centre
- Discipline: Low foul rate relative to minutes, allowing longer stints
Zikarsky’s Tip-Off Tournament performance showed a legitimate rotation big, not a stash project. At 19, he’s already providing efficient minutes with tangible two-way value. The next step isn’t volume — it’s defensive consistency and conditioning, which will determine how quickly his role scales from contributor to fixture.
Across the regular season, Zikarsky has shifted from a 20-minute developmental big into a 24–26 minute rotation centre with consistent starter usage. Iowa are trusting him with real floor time, matchup responsibility, and late-game stints.
What’s Real vs What’s Next - What the Box Scores Reveal
Already Translatable
- NBA-level size and rim protection
- Efficient interior finishing
- Reliable free-throw shooting
- Defensive discipline beyond his age
- Rotation-level rebounding consistency
Still Developing
- Passing reads under pressure
- Defensive coverage recognition in space
- Three-point volume consistency
- Turnover control on extended touches
