'We're fired up': Rocco tops historic Aussie draft call

The Advertiser

11 hours ago

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 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, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
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 Zikarski 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."
Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below.
Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers.
A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship.
Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college.
"Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said.
"A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player."
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.
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 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, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
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 Zikarski 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."
Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below.
Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers.
A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship.
Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college.
"Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said.
"A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player."
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.
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 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, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
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 Zikarski 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."
Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below.
Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers.
A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship.
Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college.
"Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said.
"A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player."
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.
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 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, who hails from the Sunshine Coast and completed two NBL seasons, was overlooked on the first night of the event at Barclays Centre in Brooklyn.
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 Zikarski 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."
Sydney guard Toohey impressed in his pre-draft workouts and will link with superstar Steph Curry but, like Zikarsky, will likely need to earn his stripes in the tier below.
Olbrich, fresh off an NBL title with Illawarra, will have compatriot Josh Giddey for company at the Bulls while Duke star Proctor is reportedly set for immediate NBA action at the Cavaliers.
A 64-win season saw them claim the No.1 seed in the east and Proctor is set to help star guard Donovan Mitchell again challenge for a championship.
Proctor was the last of Duke's starting five to be drafted, including top pick Cooper Flagg, in a coup for the college.
"Tyrese has had an elite basketball education - from his local club at Sutherland to the NBA Global Academy and, of course, Duke University," Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) coach Robbie McKinlay, said.
"A floor leader, elite shooter and versatile defender, Tyrese has already played on big stages in the ACC and NCAA tournaments and shown he is a big-game player."
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.