Hukporti crucial in biggest moments

Across the course of the NBL24 season, few players have thrived in their roles as well as Ariel Hukporti.

With Jo Lual-Acuil Jr out to start the season, United’s Next Star anchored Melbourne’s defence while providing a powerful presence around the basket on offence.

When asked to return to the bench, Hukporti continued his tremendous form, injecting a bolt of energy in the contest whenever he was inserted into the contest.

Heading into United’s Round 15 clash with New Zealand without JLA, the towering German showcased why NBA teams have shown so much interest in him ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Hukporti played a career-high 32 minutes, tallying 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while using his gravity as a role man to create openings for his teammates.

Speaking after the game, Hukporti touched on his willingness to do whatever it takes to help United stay on top of the NBL ladder.

“I’ll do everything I’m capable of to get the team a win,” he said.

“I don’t care about scoring, I just want the team to win. I sacrifice a lot, I sacrifice my shots for others and that’s an experience that will help me at the next level.

“Playing with Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) and Ian Clark who played at the next level…  Delly told me after our game against Sydney ‘make sure you do what you’re doing at the next level, if you continue playing like this it’s going to work out.’

“I trust Delly, I believe in his words.”

The strength of his performance impressed Head Coach Dean Vickerman, who played Hukporti every minute of a crucial final period.

“We didn’t know we were going to get him 32 (minutes),” he laughed.

“We were thinking maybe 26-28 minutes but we didn’t sub him out in that fourth quarter… His commitment to continue to screen and get on the rim allowed CG to get a big triple down the stretch.

“I thought the times we threw him the basketball on the block, he just got back to being patient, making a second or third move and finishing really well.”

Fans can tune in to see Hukporti continue his charge towards the NBA on Friday night when United face off against the Tasmania JackJumpers on the road from 7:30pm.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.