Rocco Zikarsky

Draft Notes

Rocco is a massive center built in the Mark Eaton/Walker Kessler mold. He’s a got a chance to be a dominant force in the paint, protecting the rim and rebounding the ball but he’ll have to continue to develop his body and his athleticism.

He went from being considered a possible lottery pick to looking more like a second round type of prospect.

He does a good job of body-ing up and holding his own in the paint and has good shot blocking instincts. He shows good recognition and can come off his man and block shots on the weak side. His immense height and long arms allow him to block and alter shots without needing to get off the ground.

On the offensive end he does almost all of his damage in the paint. He attacks the rim hard and can throw it down in traffic. He does a good job of making himself available for lobs and has a good feel for rolling to the basket.

Rocco can also face up and take his man off the dribble, usually using only 1 or 2 dribbles on his way to the rim. He likes to go left and finish with his left hand.

At this point he’s not much of a jump shooter but that could come in time. Has decent passing instincts, can operate in the high post and is pretty good with the ball in his hands.

His biggest challenge at the NBA level will be guarding in space and keeping up with the pace of play. He’s got decent mobility but isn’t exactly a nimble or quick athlete.

Comparisons

• bigger Andris Biedrins
• Mark Eaton

Draft Projection

early to mid second round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

Latest Big Board

2025 Center Rankings

1. Khamam Maluach – 7-2 – Duke (South Sudan)
2. Derik Queen – 6-10 – Maryland
3. Thomas Sorber – 6-11 – Georgetown
4. Joan Beringer – 7-0 – France
5. Danny Wolf – 7-0 – Michigan
6. Hansen Yang – 7-1 – China
7. Ryan Kalkbrenner – 7-2 – Creighton
8. Maxime Raynaud – 7-1 – Stanford (France)
9. Yanic Konan Niederhauser – 7-0 – Penn State (Switzerland)
10. Rocco Zikarsky – 7-3 – Australia
11. Amari Williams – 7-0 – Kentucky (England)
12. Lacklan Olbrich – 6-10 – Illawarra Hawks, NBL
13. Vladislav Goldin – 7-1 – Michigan (Russia)
14. Viktor Lakhin – 6-11 – Clemson (Russia)
15. Dylan Caldwell – 6-11 – Auburn
16. Clifford Omoruyi – 6-11 – Alabama (Nigeria) 
17. Jonas Aidoo – 6-11 – Arkansas
18. Braxton Meah – 7-1 – Nebraska
19. Hunter Dickinson – 7-1 – Kansas
20. Oumar Ballo – 6-10 – Indiana (Mali)