In June's draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves took a swing at Australian big man Rocco Zikarsky with the 45th overall pick. This was paired with the Wolves drafting French big man Joan Beringer, giving the Wolves two high upside centers. After he earned a two-way contract and his summer league play, it became clear that Zikarsky will need some time to develop in the G League as a rookie. However, Zikarsky's upside is still immense.
Zikarsky's skill set
As mentioned at 19 Zikarsky will need some time to develop in the G League. Adjusting to the pace of the NBA will be a priority, which was clear in the summer league. In the NBL, Zikarsky averaged 8.9 minutes across two seasons. So adjusting to a bigger role will also be crucial. Nevertheless, it's not uncommon for players not to get a ton of minutes overseas and become quality NBA players.
As a 7-foot-3 giant, Zikarsky's skill set on both ends of the court is an easy sell. Offensively, he can be an efficient lob threat and interior scorer. This, paired with Zikarsky's screen setting, gives him a clear projectable role on offense. Being as tall as Zikarsky increases his likelihood for NBA success and gives him clear advantages.
Zikarsky doesn't have a dependable shot yet, but he's shown flashes of one, and this could develop with more reps. Likewise, for his playmaking
Rocco Zikarsky's three-point shot mechanics — from the few examples I've seen so far — look pretty good for a 7-foot-3 teenager.
— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) June 27, 2025
He only shot six threes over his two seasons with Brisbane, making one of them. Below is that make, along with a video of him shooting I found on his… pic.twitter.com/IZDCJ7vU5b
Defensively, Zikarsky is a monster in the paint with a knack for shot blocking and rim protection. His 7-foot-5 wingspan and 9-foot-6 standing reach also help him as a shot blocker. On top of this, his size allows him to be a high-level rebounder. As a paint beast who can deter shots at the rim and grab rebounds, Zikarsky's path to being a high-impact defender is clear.
Zikarsky has a clear path to an NBA role
Unlike many "project players," Zikarsky has a clear projectable role, which gives him a solid chance to become a high-level contributor. Zikarsky could play a similar role to Luke Kornet, who has had a highly successful career as a role player. If Zikarsky can develop more as a shooter or playmaker, he could exceed this expectation. Two-Way Talents, a website that grades all two-way players, gave Zikarsky four out of five stars, factoring in his upside and projectable role.
Overall, Zikarsky will need at least a year of development in the G League, but that path to him becoming a quality NBA player is clear. With him and Beringer, the Wolves have two possible Rudy Gobert successors. For a mid-second-round pick, getting a player of Zikarsky's caliber is a massive win, and there's a solid chance he becomes a draft-day steal.