Hukporti Back For More

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Melbourne United star Ariel Hukporti is set to return to the NBL next season, as he continues to chase his dream of making it to the NBA.

Hukporti ruptured a tendon in his achilles during a pre-season game, ruling him out for the entirety of NBL23, but is setting his sights on returning bigger and better.

“So, I’m planning to stay here, I’m coming back, man,” the 20-year-old revealed to Newscorp.

“I want to stay here at Melbourne United. For myself, that I can get over to the states and the league (NBA) and be ready, that I can bring this team a championship.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> injury update ?<a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnited?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MelbUnited</a> Next Star Ariel Hukporti left tonight's game in the 3rd quarter with a lower leg injury.<br><br>More info will be provided as it comes to hand. <a href="https://t.co/FIfj76eScm">pic.twitter.com/FIfj76eScm</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1572556246435368961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hukporti said United had incredible care during his recovery period, a quality unrivalled by many other leagues around the world.

The German-Togolese Next Star is 15 weeks post-surgery and quickly stepping up his recovery.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hukporti swats Josh Magette like a fly ?<br><br>? Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLFinals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLFinals</a> Live on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/uvSWmtnSqm">pic.twitter.com/uvSWmtnSqm</a></p>— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ/status/1520359891063373824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Read the full story here >> NBA prospect Ariel Hukporti reveals he plans to stay with Melbourne United next season