Aussie teen giant Rocco Zikarsky shooting for the NBA
Teen giant Rocco Zikarsky has joined the list of Australians taking their NBA shot in 2025 as the basketball league reveals its shortest list of early draft applicants in a decade.
Only 106 players lodged an application for early entry, a requirement for those who are not automatically eligible from having played four years of college or from turning 22 this year.
That's the lowest number of early applicants since 91 applied in 2015, the year Karl-Anthony Towns went with the No.1 pick.
Zikarsky is one of four players from the NBL's Next Star program declaring for the draft that will be held across two days in late June, announcing his intentions on social media on Wednesday.
"All in," the Brisbane Bullets centre wrote on his Instagram story accompanied by two crossed-fingers emojis. Players can only nominate for the NBA draft once.
Zikarsky had a quieter second campaign in the NBL that ended prematurely due to a knee injury.
But he is still rated a chance to be taken in the second round of the draft, offering the rare and imposing height of 220cm.
Sydney Kings wing Alex Toohey last month became the first of last season's Next Star class to announce he would declare and could be taken with a late first-round pick.
Top Australian college talents Tyrese Proctor and Alex Condon have chosen to prematurely end their respective stints at Duke and the University of Florida to throw their hats in the ring.
Power forward Condon turned his back on the possibility of an AFL career to play college ball and could be taken in the first round after seeing his draft stocks rise in recent weeks.
Proctor, a point guard, is also rated a good chance of being selected after three seasons at one of the USA's most prominent basketball colleges.
Trinidadian Malique Lewis and Spain's Izan Alamansa are the international Next Stars declaring for the draft after spending last NBL season with South East Melbourne and Perth, respectively.
The last remaining member of last season's Next Star program Karim Lopez is too young to declare for the draft until next year, having only turned 18 this month.
The Wildcats announced on Wednesday that Alamansa's Australian teammate Ben Henshall had also declared for the draft.
Lachlan Olbrich is another Australian player with draft aspirations after playing two seasons with the Illawarra Hawks, with whom he won the most recent NBL championship.
Given he turns 22 in December, Olbrich did not need to apply for entry into the draft and is considered a slimmer chance than Zikarsky or Toohey to be selected.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swim king Chalmers plans to feast while he can
Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. 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She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team. Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." The five-time Olympic gold medallist won all three backstroke events in Adelaide, over 50m, 100m and 200m. She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team. Kyle Chalmers says swimming faster than at last year's Olympics is icing on the cake - and he's planning to gorge. Chalmers posted the third-quickest men's 100m freestyle time in the world this year at Australia's selection trials for the looming world championships. He also owns the second-fastest time in what is supposed to be a post-Olympic let-down of a year. On a Thursday night in Adelaide when Lani Pallister set an Australian women's 800m freestyle record, Chalmers clocked 47.29 seconds to follow his 47.27 in Norway on April 5. "I'm not here with pressure and expectation; anything I achieve from this point is just icing on the cake of my career," Chalmers said. "I'm stoked my body is feeling this good. "And that's why I want to capitalise on it while I can because I know it's not going to feel this good forever." Chalmers won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics and silver at the following two Games - at last year's Paris edition he touched in 47.48. "I'm physically, mentally and emotionally in a great place," the 26-year-old said. "When all of those buckets are topped up, I can swim well." Chalmers' latest triumph came after Kaylee McKeown posted the fastest women's 200m backstroke time of the year at the Adelaide trials. Unlike Chalmers, she dismissed the feat as irrelevant ahead of the world titles in Singapore starting July 27. "It doesn't matter what you do here, it depends what you do on the day in an international meet," McKeown said after finishing in two minutes 04.47 seconds, some 1.33 seconds outside her world record. "I could be doing world records here, get to an international meet and come in last, so it really doesn't matter. "I have just got to get my mind right and see what I can do in a few weeks' time." The five-time Olympic gold medallist won all three backstroke events in Adelaide, over 50m, 100m and 200m. She now has a shot at repeating her unprecedented achievement from the 2023 worlds in Japan when she became the first female to win three golds in any stroke over 50m, 100m and 200m at an international meet. Also eyeing success in Singapore is Pallister, who broke Ariarne Titmus' national 800m freestyle record. Pallister's 8.10.84 was inside Titmus' previous benchmark of 8.12.29 set when winning Olympic silver year. "That's an Australian record I have wanted for a long time, since making my first team in 2022," said Pallister. The 23-year-old's record came just two months after joining coach Dean Boxall who also guides Titmus, who remains on a post-Olympic break. But in a shock result in the women's 200m butterfly, Paris Olympian Lizzy Dekkers missed out. Dekkers, who finished fourth in the Olympic final, was third behind Brittany Castelluzzo (2:06.91) and Abbey Connor (2:07.14) who both qualified for the worlds. In the men's 200m individual medley, 25-year-old David Schlict (1:58.10) shaded William Petric by 0.15 seconds - both also made the world championship team.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cummins reaches milestone in WTC final masterclass
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Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rising star qualifies for first Dolphins team
Kaylee McKeown wins the women's 200m backstroke final at the 2025 Australian trials as Hannah Fredericks, who finishes second, qualifies for her first Dolphins team.
