Dominant defence has NBA eyes on Hukporti

Melbourne United Next Star Ariel Hukporti has quickly established himself as a defensive menace 11-games into his NBL career.

The 19-year-old Togolese/German center has been wreaking havoc as part of the league’s best defensive team.

While his raw numbers don’t jump off the page (6.45 points, 5.45 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game), it’s his defensive efficiency that has sides scratching their heads looking for answers.

Big A possesses the best defensive rating in the entire league, allowing a staggering 84.5 points per 100 possessions.

To learn more about how a player's defensive rating is calculated, click here.

This is nearly 10 points lower than the closest non-United player (SEM’s Zhou Qi), and over 10 points lower than United’s team average.

Hukporti also ranks second in rebounding percentage, and fifth in block percentage.

United Head Coach Dean Vickerman said the impact Hukporti brings off the bench has been a crucial part of the side’s success so far.

“For him to have the best individual defensive rating in our league, it just showcases some of his superpowers that we want to shine.

“We knew coming in that his foot activity and his hand activity in his on-ball coverage was elite.

“He can defend the pick and roll perfectly, guarding his man on the drop, but can also sit down in a stance and switch really well.”

“I’m sure NBA scouts are going to be looking at what he’s doing.”

Teams have also had to contend with Big A taking to the sky on the offensive end, as his athleticism makes him a constant lob threat around the rim, as displayed perfectly against Adelaide in Round 7.

Watch Hukporti take to the sky in Melbourne’s return home on Sunday 6 February against the Tasmania JackJumpers at 3pm.

The game will also feature an exciting half-time performance from multi-award winning artist Tones And I.

Tickets are available here, and five-game memberships remain for sale here.