NBA ready Hukporti learning from the best

Coming off a lost season due to injury, just what people could expect from Next Star Ariel Hukporti was up in the air heading into NBL24.

Needless to say, the Togolese-German big-man has impressed, returning stronger than ever and establishing himself as one of the league’s most imposing presences.

Looking at the way his young star has been playing, Head Coach Dean Vickerman touched on Hukporti’s growth since arriving in Melbourne in 2021

“The change in his daily habits and his commitment to personal development, diet, recovery, all those things have really improved as a pro and now we just see his patience on court, especially offensively,” he explained.

“He’s taking his time and getting to spots, he’s possibly the best lob-threat in the league when he gets out of screens… He won our SHARE player award (for Round 13) and most of that was for his defence and activity.

“There’s certain guys in the NBA that I look at and believe Ariel can do a similar job. The center at Dallas (Derek Lively) playing with Luka, I think Ariel can certainly do that kind of job in the NBA.”

Looking at how he can find the greatest success in the NBA, Hukporti has been leaning on teammates Ian Clark and Matthew Dellavedova, who boast two championships and over 900 games played in the league.

One of the keys the towering seven-footer has learnt well is that communication is key if he wants to thrive at the next level.

“I’ve been playing with Ian Clark off the bench. I’ve got a great connection with him and it’s getting better and better. Even with Delly, having a great connection with him, being a lob threat and a rebounding beast, just trying to help my team out wherever I can.

“Everything is about communication, so they’ve been talking to me a lot… on the plane ride back (from Cairns) I was sitting next to Delly and just watching video with him and just looking at little things that I can improve. 

“How I can set the screen, what angle I’ve got to set the screen at, just stuff like that will help me get to the next level.”

Fans will get to see Hukporti take to the sky twice across Round 14 as United face off against the Kings on Thursday from 7:30pm before making the trip to Adelaide for a clash with the Sixers on Saturday from 7:30pm.

Both games will be streamed on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.