Zwikker, the son of a police officer and a mother who worked in the flower business,[1] first came to the United States in 1988, playing for Don Kent at Monsignor Clancy Memorial High School in Queens, New York.

Plagued by an ankle injury, Wallace scored only six points before Smith went to the uninjured Zwikker in relief.

[6] Zwikker became the Tar Heels' starting center following Wallace's departure in the 1995 NBA draft.

[7] As a senior, he averaged 11.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game,[8] while serving as a team captain with Shammond Williams.

Due to the 1998 NBA lockout, he signed a three-year contract with TAU Cerámica in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.