Knicks Close Draft With Ariel Hukporti
An afternoon of wheeling and dealing ended with the New York Knicks making the final selection of the 2024 NBA Draft.
When the dust settled, the Knicks drafted German-Togolese center Ariel Hukporti with the 58th selection. Hukporti, 22, will reunite with the Knicks' first-round choice Pacome Dadiet, as the two previously competed in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga. Hukporti brings MVP hardware to New York as he was Basketball Bundesliga's MVP in 2019-20 with averages of 16.9 points and 9.4 rebounds.
The final pick of the draft was one of several second-round choices that went on a chaotic journey: originally belonging to the Boston Celtics, it was sent to Charlotte in a 2020 deal that also netted Gordon Hayward. The Hornets dealt it to the Dallas Mavericks in February and the Mavs sent it to the Knicks for the draft rights to 51st pick Melvin Ajinca. New York also acquired the draft rights to 36-year-old Petteri Koponen, a 2007 first-round pick who is currently an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, and cash considerations.
More recently, Hukporti was stationed with Melbourne United of the National Basketball League, the top level of Oceania professional play, as part of its "Next Stars" program. With his selection, Hukporti has his NBA dream at least partly realized after he was forced to miss the entire 2022-23 NBL season with a ruptured Achilles. He returned this past season to average 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds while patrolling the interior.
“Ariel has grown immensely since joining our League, as a player, as a person, and as a phenomenal professional athlete," NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said of Hukporti in a statement announcing his return. "The way he conducted himself throughout his rehabilitation, staying in Melbourne to encourage and support his teammates throughout the season, was exemplary and speaks to the kind of person he is."
“The pathway between the NBA and NBL is stronger than ever, and Ariel couldn’t be in a better spot to secure the NBA contract he’s long been dreaming of.”
Prior to his injury, Hukporti made a name for himself as a teenager, leading the league in defensive rating during his debut NBL season. Hukporti also has experience with Germany's amateur international affairs, notably putting up 10.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks at the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship in Greece.
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI
Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks