Hukporti should be DPOY says Vickerman

Coming into this season, there was a lot on the line for Melbourne United Next Star Ariel Hukporti.

Coming off a season lost to an achilles injury, Hukporti faced an uphill battle to not only rebuild his NBA Draft stock, but also to play a huge role on an MU team with championship aspirations.

Nearly a third of the way through United’s NBL24 campaign, it’s hard to believe just how impressive the Togolese-German skyscraper had been across nine starts.

Hukporti is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds and shooting percentage, while leading the league once again in defensive rating. The big man also currently sits atop NewsCorp's Next Star Power Rankings.

Speaking to media ahead of United’s lone Round 6 game against the Perth Wildcats on Monday evening, Head Coach Dean Vickerman said his young star should be in any and all conversations for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

“Right now we think he’s in the calculation for Defensive Player of the Year,” he said.

“He’s got the best defensive rating in the league, he’s protecting the rim, he’s challenging shots, he’s doing a lot of things and that’s where we want him.”

These sentiments were echoed by Matthew Dellavedova, who believes Hukporti, along with teammate Luke Travers, has the potential to make an impact at the next level.

“I think ‘Big A’ (Hukporti) and ‘LT’ (Travers) can definitely play in the NBA,” he said.

“Seeing Big A’s growth in his talk and communication and understanding, he’s always had the physical tools but somehow with all the work he’s put in upstairs in the gym with the strength and conditioning team and physios from his achilles, he’s come back stronger and more athletic.

“LT is a great athlete, high IQ guy. We’re working on getting him to be more vocal and I think he did a great job of that today and we want him to continue to be aggressive.”

United fans will get their next opportunity to see both Hukporti and Travers on Monday night when they face the Perth Wildcats as part of Indigenous Round.

Taking place the night before the Melbourne Cup, it’s the perfect opportunity to get the family together for a blockbuster evening of hoops.

To lock in your spot, secure your seat today via ticketek, or grab a three or five game membership to ensure you’re there for Melbourne’s remaining home games.