Rocco Zikarsky is showcasing his immense upside in G League

After winning their first two outings of the season, the Iowa Wolves suffered their first defeat on Thursday. The Timberwolves’ G League affiliate fell to the Grand Rapids Gold, 121-113. While the final result wasn’t what Iowa was hoping for, the Wolves received a standout performance from 2025 second-round pick Rocco Zikarsky.

Zikarsky drops 24 points on Thursday

In just 25 minutes of action on Thursday night, Zikarsky filled up the box score for Iowa in the loss. The center’s final numbers on the night consisted of 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He also shot 11-18 from the field while showcasing stretch-big qualities by connecting on 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.

The second stanza was where Zikarsky did much of his work. Midway through the quarter, he scored nine straight points for Iowa and 11 of 13. Much of that work was down low, except for a 3-pointer that he made.

It was a nice bounce-back performance for Zikarsky after scoring just four points (1-7 from the field) in Iowa’s previous game. In the opener, Zikarsky scored 15 points. In both of his first two games, he did finish with two blocks.

Zikarsky is currently on a two-way deal

Selected with the 45th overall pick, Zikarsky is on a two-way deal with the Timberwolves. He has yet to play for the NBA club. 

When Zikarsky does get his first chance to play for Minnesota, he will tie a team record. Listed at 7-foot-3, that is the same height as the tallest player in Timberwolves history, Randy Breuer. An Australian native, Zikarsky played professionally in his home country prior to being drafted. He began playing for the Brisbane Bullets at the age of just 17 and spent two years with them.

Currently just 19 years old, Minnesota would love to see Zikarsky develop into a rotational player for them in the future. It probably won’t happen this season, which is why the reps in the G League are pertinent. While he doesn’t have the ceiling, particularly on defense, of 2025 first-round pick Joan Beringer, Zikarsky does possess more size.

With Rudy Gobert having one more year on his contract after this one (as well as a player option in 2027-28), the Timberwolves have two centers that could potentially be Gobert replacements in the near future. Zikarsky's next opportunity to play will come on Sunday, November 16, when the Wolves are at home against the Noblesville Boom.