Hukporti reaching untouched heights in 40-minute era

Melbourne United Next Star Ariel Hukporti commands your attention.

The Togolese seven-footer is a physical specimen that has wowed crowds across the country with his speed and power on the hardwood.

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While his ability to rise up for rim-rattling dunks is what catches the eyes of most fans, it is his ability on the defensive end that has Hukporti putting up numbers unrivalled by any of his peers.

All before his 20th birthday, which he celebrated today, Hukporti ranked number one in the league in defensive rating, third in block percentage, and is the only teenager to ever average over a block per game in the NBL.

Looking at how he compares to the other Next Stars in league history, Big A’s rim protection laps the field.

Hukporti has as many multiple-block games as every other Next Star combined, and is the only Next Star to ever register three blocks in a game, a feat he has hit four times.

While his elite physical tools have helped him succeed on defence, Head Coach Dean Vickerman said his eagerness to dominate on that end of the ball is his greatest strength.

“It’s quite amazing, not too many 19-year-olds are built the way that he’s built.

“There’s got to be an absolute willingness and desire to sit down on defence and enjoy that aspect of the game, and he does, he takes great joy in getting a blocked shot or challenging someone at the rim.”

Slated for a pair of Round 20 games on 16 April and 18 April, be sure to grab your tickets to see Big A continue to set records for United.