Baynes leans into mentorship role with Zikarsky

Zikarsky’s development has been fast-tracked in his first professional season and as the youngest player in the competition, he's been taking every opportunity with two hands.

At 7’3” tall, Zikarsky has all the physical attributes that will allow him to become a force of Australian basketball, but he’s credited the program at the Bullets for helping him elevate his game.

“I know the opportunities I’m being given are earned. Going in there I do want to play more minutes and I can prove that in training,” Zikarsky told SENQ.

“Talking with Justin (Schueller) nothing is given to me. It’s every day in practice, it’s doing all the little stuff and eventually that role can become bigger.

“It’s been so good. The mentorship from the guys around me and the coaching from all the coaches is second to none. I think it’s been the best option for my development and I’ve really been enjoying my time.

“It’s definitely pretty crazy and sometimes I have to remind myself I’m training against one of the Australian greats (Aron Baynes).

“I still have that starstruck thing with him but right now it’s just getting down and training with him, that’s been the best thing for me.”

Zikarsky and the Bullets will mark their return from the mid-season break when they take on the Taipans in Cairns on Friday night followed by a home court clash with the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday. Get tickets HERE.