By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
German center Ariel Hukporti inked a two-way contract for the 2024-25 season with the New York Knicks.
Per the press release: “The New York Knicks announced today that the team has signed Ariel Hukporti to a two-way contract.
Hukporti, 22-years-old (6-11, 246-pounds), was originally selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 58th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft before being acquired by the Knicks. He most recently played with MHP Riesen of the BBL in Germany where he averaged 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds over 14.3 minutes in three games (two starts). Prior to his time in the BBL, he spent parts of the 2023-24 season with Melbourne United of the Australian NBL where he averaged 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over 18.4 minutes in 28 games. In his two seasons with Melbourne, he posted 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds over 16.8 minutes in 55 games. He spent the 2020-21 season in Lithuania where he averaged 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 22.8 minutes in 19 appearances. He made his professional debut with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2018-19.
The Stralsund, Germany-native represented Germany at the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship where he averaged 9.6 points on 51.1-percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks over 17.4 minutes.”
Playing for Ludwigsburg, Hukporti made his way to six Basketball Champions League games, including one appearance upon his reunion with the German club at the bottom end of the 2023-24 season, tallying seven points and ten rebounds in a loss to UCAM Murcia, in the Playoffs. Debuting at the senior level in 2018-19, he featured in five games of the BCL season.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League