Hukporti to stand United for NBL23

Written by Melbourne United Media

Melbourne United is thrilled to announce that NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti will remain with the defending champions for the NBL23 season.

Hukporti decided spending another season honing his craft with United would ultimately be best for his long term career.

“Big A” has had a strong season, setting records and doing things never-before seen by a teenager coming into the NBL.

The Togolese-German skyscraper finished his debut season in the NBL as the league leader in defensive rating, and became the only player to ever average over a block per game before their 20th birthday.

United Head Coach Dean Vickerman told Melbourne United Media he is excited to continue working with Hukporti as he continues on his path towards the NBA.

“With Ariel not declaring for this year's NBA draft we are excited to welcome him back to Melbourne United for NBL23.

“We have all seen the development and growth in Ariel's game this season and look forward to assisting him to achieve his goal to be drafted as high as possible in the 2023 NBA draft.”

Melbourne have been lauded for their big-man development over the past few seasons, as seen by Jock Landale’s move to the NBA, and the growth of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

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.

At the conclusion of the NBL22 season, Ariel will return to Germany to see family, before coming back to Melbourne to get started with pre-season workouts.