BIO: Hukporti was born in Stralsund, Germany to Togolese parents and was raised by a single mother. After moving to Frankfurt he grew up playing football as a defender. Hukporti stood 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) at age nine and started playing basketball when he was 11 years old, in part due to his height.

He later moved to Stuttgart and began playing in the Jugend Basketball Bundesliga, the German U16 league, with USC Freiburg.

After one season, he received offers from renowned clubs, including Bayern Munich and Brose Bamberg. He decided to continue his career with Riesen Ludwigsburg and its junior team, Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Ariel Hukporti made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 19 years of age. He scored three points in his first game.

After winning the 2021 championship, Melbourne entered the new season without leading scorer Jock Landale (to San Antonio), starting point guard Mitch McCarron (to Adelaide) and import Scotty Hopson. Dean Vickerman retained Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, David Barlow and Shea Ili, welcomed Jack White back after recovering from a ruptured Achilles and added Matthew Dellavedova (via Cleveland), Brad Newley (via Sydney), Dion Prewster (via Wellington) and Caleb Agada (via Hapoel Be’er Sheva).

Ariel Hukporti (via Nevėžis) joined Melbourne through the NBL’s Next Stars program, intending to use the season to prepare for the NBA Draft while backing up Lual-Acuil Jr. “What really stood out about Ariel is his mobility, power and athleticism,” Vickerman said.

Hukporti made his NBL debut at Qudos Bank Arena on December 5, finishing with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block) and Agada (11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne, but Jaylen Adams (15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) helped Sydney win 79-74.

Hukporti (6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games) provided Melbourne with athleticism, rebounding and rim protection behind Lual-Acuil Jr. He led the league in defensive rating and became the only NBL player to average more than one block per game before turning 20. Melbourne recovered from its 0-2 start by winning its next eight games, went 5-1 during a January played entirely away from home and won four of five games in February to sit first with a 12-4 record. Hukporti’s only absence came against Tasmania on February 6 due to COVID protocols, and he did not miss a game through injury.

One of Hukporti’s two season-high scoring games came against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on March 5, where Hukporti (14 points and 4 rebounds) played 15 minutes as Melbourne won 95-83 and gave Vickerman a victory in his 250th NBL game as a head coach. Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) and Agada (15 points and 3 steals) led United, while Robert Franks (20 points) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.

Hukporti’s best game of the season came against Adelaide at John Cain Arena on March 20, where Hukporti (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) played alongside White and Lual-Acuil Jr in Melbourne’s oversized frontcourt before stealing the ball and throwing down a dunk in the final seconds of a 101-74 win. Lual-Acuil Jr (15 points and 9 rebounds) and Newley (15 points and 4 rebounds) led United, while Daniel Johnson (18 points and 4 rebounds) was Adelaide’s best.

After Dalton (1.3 points across 6 games) suffered a season-ending ACL tear during training, Melbourne brought back Baba (3.9 points across 10 games; via Texas Legends) for the remainder of the season.

Lual-Acuil Jr (15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks across 15 games) led Melbourne in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, finished third in league MVP voting, earned All-NBL First Team honours and was named United’s club MVP. Goulding (15.1 points across 28 games) and Dellavedova (10.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 30 games) were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Agada (12.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29 games), White (9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds across 26 games) and Ili (8.7 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 31 games) completed Melbourne’s main rotation. Ili won the NBL Best Sixth Man award and received United’s Defensive Player of the Year and SHARE awards.

Melbourne closed the regular season at MyState Bank Arena on April 23, where Hukporti (2 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal), Agada (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led United, but MiKyle McIntosh (20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) helped Tasmania win 83-61. Melbourne finished first with a 20-8 record.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena with a 74-63 win over Tasmania, taking control of the series behind Agada (16 points and 7 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) and Dellavedova (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists), while Hukporti (4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) provided 12 minutes off the bench. Adams (16 points and 5 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (15 points and 4 rebounds) led Tasmania.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Goulding (18 points), Agada (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), Lual-Acuil Jr (13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks) and Hukporti (1 point, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne, but McVeigh (15 points), McIntosh (13 points) and Josh Magette (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) helped Tasmania win 79-72 and force a deciding game.

Goulding injured his calf during warm-ups and was ruled out shortly before game three at John Cain Arena, leaving Ili (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Lual-Acuil Jr (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and White (14 points and 15 rebounds) to lead Melbourne, while Hukporti (1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played nine minutes. Adams (30 points), McVeigh (16 points) and Magette (9 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) led Tasmania as United made six of 29 three-pointers and the JackJumpers won 76-73.

2023/24
After Hukporti missed the entire NBL23 season with a ruptured Achilles, Melbourne won 11 of its final 14 games but finished seventh at 15-13 and missed the postseason on percentage. United had attempted to regroup after Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (to China), Jack White (to Denver) and Matthew Dellavedova (to Sacramento) departed from the team that finished first and fell one win short of the 2022 Grand Final.

Isaac Humphries (to Adelaide), Mason Peatling (to Illawarra), David Okwera (to Perth), Makuach Maluach (to Sydney), Marcus Lee (to Tasmania), Lachlan Barker (to Tasmania), Rayjon Tucker (to Italy), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (to Turkey), Joshua Duach and David Barlow (retired) exited following NBL23. Coach Dean Vickerman brought Lual-Acuil Jr (via China) and Dellavedova (via Sacramento) back to Melbourne and added NBA prospect Luke Travers (via Perth), Ian Clark (via Adelaide), Tanner Krebs (via Brisbane), Flynn Cameron (via UC Riverside) and Kyle Bowen (via Saint Mary’s). Clark was United’s only import and filled the bench-scoring role previously occupied by Scotty Hopson, while the return of Lual-Acuil Jr and Dellavedova helped rebuild a roster similar to the 2021/22 team.

After completing his rehabilitation, Hukporti recommitted to Melbourne on a one-year Next Stars deal for his third season with the club.

“I’m excited to be staying with United for next season,” he said. “My only goal is to help bring a championship to this team and our fans, because they have always been there to support me.

“I can’t wait for the moment when I can step back on the court and give this team everything I’ve got.”

A wrist injury suffered by Lual-Acuil Jr before the season led to veteran Rob Loe (via New Zealand) signing as an injury replacement for eight games, leaving Hukporti to begin the campaign as Melbourne’s starting centre. United held a 4-1 record when Lual-Acuil Jr returned and improved to 5-1 in his first game back.

Melbourne opened the season against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on September 28, where Hukporti (5 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) returned to the court and helped United defeat the Phoenix 82-67. Travers (20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Dellavedova (17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne, while Ben Ayre (17 points and 2 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s leading scorer.

Hukporti (7.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 36 games) appeared in every game, started 14 times and shot 58 percent from the field during his return season. He shared the centre minutes with Lual-Acuil Jr and provided rebounding, above-the-rim finishing and rim protection, with his 55 blocks the most by any player across the NBL campaign.

Hukporti’s best game came against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre on October 20, where Hukporti (21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) made 6-of-7 field goals as Melbourne defeated the Hawks 101-91. Clark (16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Travers (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Tyler Harvey (19 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra as United improved to 5-1 in Lual-Acuil Jr’s return from wrist surgery.

United delivered its biggest home win of the season against Brisbane on December 10, where Hukporti (7 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped control the paint during a 103-68 victory. Goulding (21 points) made 7-of-9 three-pointers and Travers (16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) filled the stat sheet, while Nathan Sobey (12 points) and Sam McDaniel (12 points) led Brisbane as Melbourne restricted the Bullets to 3-of-26 shooting from the perimeter.

In his 16th NBL season, Goulding (16.9 points across 36 games) produced one of his strongest campaigns after representing the Boomers at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and attempting to earn a place on the 2024 Olympic team. Lual-Acuil Jr (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 29 games), Clark (13.6 points across 30 games), Dellavedova (12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists across 30 games), Travers (12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 33 games) and Ili (10.7 points and 3.7 assists across 34 games) ensured any member of United’s starting group could take over a game. Loe (5.5 points and 4.5 rebounds across 8 games) and Krebs (5.3 points across 36 games) provided further depth.

Goulding earned All-NBL First Team honours, Lual-Acuil Jr was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, Ili won Defensive Player of the Year, Clark received Best Sixth Man and Vickerman was named Coach of the Year.

Melbourne closed the regular season against Illawarra at John Cain Arena on February 18, where Hukporti (4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) contributed to a 92-87 victory. Goulding (19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Dellavedova (17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led United, while Justin Robinson (14 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer. Melbourne finished first with a 20-8 record, three wins clear of the competition, with its success producing a succession of sell-out crowds throughout the season.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at John Cain Arena and recovered from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Illawarra 115-106 in overtime. Hukporti (5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) provided frontcourt support, while Dellavedova (30 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals) and Travers (24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led United. Sam Froling (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Gary Clark (22 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) were Illawarra’s best.

Game two moved to the WIN Entertainment Centre, where Hukporti (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Dellavedova (20 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Lual-Acuil Jr (18 points and 7 rebounds) and Clark (17 points and 3 rebounds) led Melbourne. Gary Clark (31 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 assists), Harvey (23 points and 2 steals), Froling (19 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Will Hickey (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) carried Illawarra, with Hickey’s putback at the regulation buzzer forcing overtime before the Hawks won 113-108. Both teams reached 100 points for the second consecutive game and levelled the series at one win apiece.

The series returned to John Cain Arena for game three, where Hukporti (8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne withstand another Illawarra challenge and win 100-94. Ili (22 points and 3 rebounds) and Travers (15 points and 11 rebounds) led United, while Froling (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Robinson (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) kept the Hawks close before Melbourne advanced to the Grand Final series.

Melbourne opened the Grand Final at John Cain Arena, where Hukporti (7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) maintained United’s advantage around the basket when Lual-Acuil Jr went to the bench. Goulding (22 points and 4 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 104-81 victory, while Anthony Drmic (18 points), Milton Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) and Jack McVeigh (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) were Tasmania’s best.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Hukporti (8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block), Ili (20 points), Goulding (19 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil Jr (9 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) helped Melbourne build a 15-point third-quarter lead. McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block), Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Jordon Crawford (13 points and 4 assists) and Sean Macdonald (13 points) led Tasmania’s comeback before the JackJumpers won 82-77 and levelled the series.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Hukporti (6 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) threw down a fourth-quarter dunk over two defenders as Melbourne attempted to regain control. Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Goulding (17 points and 4 rebounds) and Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks) led United, while McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds), Majok Deng (15 points) and Doyle (14 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) kept Tasmania close. Doyle saved a deflected inbound pass before McVeigh made a long three-pointer from beyond half-court at the buzzer, giving the JackJumpers a 93-91 win and handing Melbourne consecutive losses for the first time during the season.

Game four remained at MyState Bank Arena, where Hukporti (4 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Clark (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block), Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks) and Dellavedova (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Melbourne. McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals) and Doyle (14 points and 6 rebounds) led Tasmania before Dellavedova made the go-ahead lay-up and United held on for an 88-86 win to force a deciding game.

Game five returned to John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds) scored 19 points during the opening quarter, with McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Will Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) helping Tasmania win 83-81 and secure its first championship. Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points and 6 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists) and Goulding (13 points, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Melbourne, with McVeigh named Grand Final MVP. Hukporti (6 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) played 18:37 in the loss.

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Ariel Hukporti played two seasons with the Melbourne United. He averaged 7.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 66 NBL games.

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