Minnesota reckon they got a NBA Draft steal in giant Rocco Zikarsky, who led a historic Australian contingent called during a frantic, 10-pick window.
The Brisbane Bullets centre from the Sunshine Coast, was taken with pick No.45 by the Timberwolves during the second round on Friday (AEST).
Fellow Australians Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland, No.49), Alex Toohey (Golden State, No.52) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago, No.55) followed soon after.
A record 15 Australians were on NBA rosters this season and not since No.7 pick Chris Anstey led the draft charge in 1997 has the country had as many names called in a single draft.
The 18-year-old Zikarsky, a former Chancellor State College student who completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
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But, the tallest in the class at 220cm, he was snapped up with the 15th pick of the second round, which Chicago had traded to the Timberwolves.
He had worked out almost exclusively at the Timberwolves’ facility in the lead-up and, unless he’s traded, would have French centre Rudy Gobert at his disposal to learn from.
“We had a great workout with him, had him much higher on the board,” general manager Tim Connelly said.
“Seven foot, three inches (tall) … we’re fired up.”
Like most second-round picks Zikarsky is likely to sign a two-way deal with the club’s G League outfit Iowa and won’t receive the guaranteed contract of those selected in the top-30.
“He could stay overseas, he could do the G league, we want to maximise Iowa, so we’re not sure,” Connelly said.
“But we want to make sure he’s going somewhere where his development continues.”
Zikarsky told Sunshine Coast News, in 2023, that he had big ambitions.
“My ultimate goals are to be drafted in the NBA and play for Australia,” he said at the time.
All four Australian draftees honed their craft at the COE.
“To be spoken about as a future NBA prospect, any player needs to have an elite combination of physical tools, skill and basketball IQ and all four tick those boxes,” McKinlay said.
