Hukporti might be 22 years old, but he has plenty of experience at the professional level for a player of his age. He made his professional debut with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2018-19, racking up 20 total appearances for the club across two seasons. He later moved to Nevezis in Lithuania where he averaged 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 22.8 minutes per game in 19 appearances. Hukporti spent the next two seasons in the Australian NBL with Melbourne United, racking up 55 appearances and averaging 8.4 points with 7.0 rebounds per contest in 2023-24. His final step before the 2024 NBA Draft was a three-game stint in Germany with MHP Riesen where he averaged 14.3 minutes per contest.
homeskillitprigioni@ 7/1/2024 5:18 PM
I'm totally sold that with this guy's experience with Melbourne United and Germany that he's ready to take on backup center minutes, possibly half the season as starter, and a 50/50 shot at starting playoff games in year 1.
ToddTT@ 7/1/2024 5:21 PM
homeskillitprigioni wrote:I'm totally sold that with this guy's experience with Melbourne United and Germany that he's ready to take on backup center minutes, possibly half the season as starter, and a 50/50 shot at starting playoff games in year 1.
Phew! What a relief!!!
martin@ 7/1/2024 5:22 PM
Right, plus he got the torn Achilles portion of the iHart injury situation already taken care of and back to health
franco12@ 7/1/2024 5:22 PM
I can't tell Fish if you are kidding or legit? I like him - not sure what we can expect in year 1 - but I love the back to basket game - I mean, do defenses know what to do? Kareem might score 50!
ToddTT@ 7/1/2024 5:24 PM
franco12 wrote:I can't tell Fish if you are kidding or legit? I like him - not sure what we can expect in year 1 - but I love the back to basket game - I mean, do defenses know what to do? Kareem might score 50!
The only question really is if he'll nab Finals MVP or not.
Alpha1971@ 7/1/2024 5:26 PM
Bring back Hernan-Gomez
NYKBocker@ 7/1/2024 5:50 PM
This is a NYK trend. Getting a very good center in the end of the 2nd round. Big Mitch, Simms now hawktua.....damn autocorrect hukporti
Philc1@ 7/1/2024 5:50 PM
Alpha1971 wrote:Bring back Hernan-Gomez
Good rebounder but he can’t defend most of the guys on this messageboard
martin@ 7/1/2024 5:53 PM
NYKBocker wrote:This is a NYK trend. Getting a very good center in the end of the 2nd round. Big Mitch, Simms now hawktua.....damn autocorrect hukporti
I knew one of you scoundrels would go there 😅
BigDaddyG@ 7/1/2024 6:00 PM
martin wrote:
NYKBocker wrote:This is a NYK trend. Getting a very good center in the end of the 2nd round. Big Mitch, Simms now hawktua.....damn autocorrect hukporti
I knew one of you scoundrels would go there 😅
Go where? I have no idea what you're referring too.
martin@ 7/1/2024 6:18 PM
Anyway, why would any free agent want to come to the Knicks for exactly 2 year and play for a coach like Thibs?
Especially young players who won’t develop?
Rookie@ 7/1/2024 7:14 PM
That was some real predatory BS by OKC.
BigDaddyG@ 7/1/2024 7:41 PM
Rookie wrote:That was some real predatory BS by OKC.
All's fair... I'm sure there are some Nets fans saying the same thing about us.
Garrett2010PSD@ 7/1/2024 8:09 PM
He is extremely raw, strong, but slow.
martin@ 7/1/2024 8:11 PM
BigDaddyG wrote:
Rookie wrote:That was some real predatory BS by OKC.
All's fair... I'm sure there are some Nets fans saying the same thing about us.
That’s the Dallas fans still whining
EwingsGlass@ 7/1/2024 8:50 PM
Rookie wrote:That was some real predatory BS by OKC.
I am good with it. It’s a high number that I don’t really understand, but maybe they hope he will teach Chet how to be a man.
CleaverGreene@ 7/1/2024 9:34 PM
fishmike wrote:
relax people... it's obvious after watching this youtube video this guy is gonna be a star.
Hukporti might be 22 years old, but he has plenty of experience at the professional level for a player of his age. He made his professional debut with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in 2018-19, racking up 20 total appearances for the club across two seasons. He later moved to Nevezis in Lithuania where he averaged 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 22.8 minutes per game in 19 appearances. Hukporti spent the next two seasons in the Australian NBL with Melbourne United, racking up 55 appearances and averaging 8.4 points with 7.0 rebounds per contest in 2023-24. His final step before the 2024 NBA Draft was a three-game stint in Germany with MHP Riesen where he averaged 14.3 minutes per contest.
Hukporti seems OK, but what is most annoying for me is that this guy shows some moves in the post that Mitch, with his 6 years and 320 games in the NBA, never (or can't) shows us.
When that idiotic video of him shooting 3s was shown, I recall being called out by some when I complained about the fact that Mitch hadn't even come up with even a rudimentary post up game or short jumper, as if a center doesn't need such skill. That would seem to be more important, especially for a good offensive rebounder like Mitch.
I just don't understand how any player doesn't improve their game after 6 yrs in the league. For the most part, this has been true about Robinson.
Sorry...just venting. I'll also say the same thing about Sims, BTW. If he was to show an improved post-up game, I'm sure he'd get more time on the floor.
dodger78@ 7/2/2024 3:43 AM
1. Im really looking forward to see how the PnR with Hukporti and Kolek will look like! It should be a piece of beauty! 2. Honestly I think he will be able to give Sims a run for first C off the bench... or at LEAST push Sims in practice to show up on low-post D. 3. I know its the Australian league but he does look extremely nimble from the short vid. I like how he has defended the switch on Guards on 2-3 occasions! 4. Hes a strong dude and hence another body to throw at Embiid!
Chandler@ 7/2/2024 8:18 AM
All I can say is Crikey (sp?)
Chandler@ 7/2/2024 8:19 AM
Sorry I should also say Ariel is a good name for a Center
