Vickerman previews huge twin towers lineup

Written by Melbourne United Media

While many basketball teams across the globe have shifted their play towards smaller lineups, Melbourne United could look to put the league’s largest front-court pairing together for long stretches across NBL24.

Bucking the ‘small-ball’ trend, Head Coach Dean Vickerman has suggested that United’s pair of skyscraping big-men, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti, could form the league’s most potent ‘twin-towers’ lineup.

Standing 211 cm and 213 cm tall respectively, putting Lual-Acuil Jr and Hukporti on the court together would pose a unique test for every team in the NBL.

“If teams want to try to play small against them, they’re going to have challenges,” Vickerman told MU Media.

“For both those guys to get the minutes that they’re deserving of, they’re going to have to play together. One of them is always going to have an advantage in the post… It’s going to be a tough matchup for whoever is going to try and stop them.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Run. It. Back. <br>We cannot wait to see JLA back at JCA. <br><br>Make sure you&#39;re at every NBL24 home game. Lock in your Membership now: <a href="https://t.co/Fx6HpA7IPf">https://t.co/Fx6HpA7IPf</a> <a href="https://t.co/AlIAbXBfZ2">pic.twitter.com/AlIAbXBfZ2</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1646045490461409289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


JLA returns to United having been named an MVP finalist in NBL22, while Hukporti slots back into the lineup following a season lost to injury.

While the two seldom saw minutes together across their last full campaign, the sheer skill level both possess fills Vickerman with confidence.

“I’m excited about it, I’m excited to see which one of those two is shooting the basketball better and see their ability to assist each other… We saw it a little bit with their high-low game last time they were together,” Vickerman explained.

“Defensively, Ariel’s movement and agility, even if he is guarding a smaller guy, I think he’s capable of guarding that, as is Jo with his ability to get in a stance and use his length to guard guards.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??????????<br>This week&#39; TAC 5 Star Rated Defensice Play of the game goes to Ariel Hukporti. It certainly was a block to remember!! <a href="https://t.co/VkosMN4hpm">pic.twitter.com/VkosMN4hpm</a></p>&mdash; Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited/status/1493027208633335813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


After a short stint in Lebanon where he averaged 22 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, JLA is set to arrive back in Melbourne to continue his pre-season work with United, while also preparing for the upcoming FIBA World Cup with South Sudan.

Hukporti has remained in Melbourne throughout his rehab, which has him poised to return more athletic than ever.

With so much excitement surrounding next season, the time to become a Melbourne United member is now!

NBL24 Memberships are ON SALE NOW. As well as saving up to 40% on the price of walk-up tickets, members will receive exclusive merch discounts, access to Melbourne United Super Clinics, priority access to John Cain Arena for home games, access to member functions, post-game meet and greets and much more.