Former Brisbane Bullet and NBL Next Star Rocco Zikarsky has made a strong impression during his NBA pre-season debut.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old, who was selected by Minnesota with the 45th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, contributed 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal, in just 13 minutes of action, to help the Timberwolves defeat Denver, headlined by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, 126-116.<\/p>\n
Zikarsky\u2019s All-Star teammate Anthony Edwards, who averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season, has already heaped praise on the Australian rookie\u2019s start to training camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cRocco blocked my shot during a drill today and I\u2019m like, \u2018how?\u2019 \u2013 this doesn\u2019t even make sense,\u201d Edwards said during a recent team media availability.<\/p>\n
Zikarsky, whose Wolves teammate Joe Ingles also had 3 points and 4 dimes in that win, was just one of a number of former NBL Next Stars to hit the court so far this pre-season.<\/p>\n
For the New York Knicks, former Melbourne United big man Ariel Hukporti helped his side win both Abu Dhabi clashes against Philadelphia, firstly 99-84 on Thursday and then 113-104 on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Across the two wins, the German centre totalled 11 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist.<\/p>\n
Finally, at the North Charleston Coliseum, former Next Stars Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City) and LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) locked horns.<\/p>\n
The Thunder won the pre-season fixture 135-114, thanks to former New Zealand Breaker Dieng\u2019s 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal.<\/p>\n
In the loss, former Illawarra Hawk and one-time NBA All-Star Ball produced 11 points, 3 dimes and 2 boards.<\/p>\n
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