NBA prospect Ariel Hukporti suffers a season-ending injury / News - Basketnews.com

Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles in an NBL Blitz match against the Perth Wildcats and will be forced to miss the entire 2022-23 NBL season.

Credit: BNS Credit BNS

The hopes of making it to the NBA took a hit last night for Ariel Hukporti.

Ariel Hukporti

Position:CAge:20Height:213 cmWeight:114 kgBirth place:GermanyProfileNewsStatistics

The Melbourne United center tore his Achilles in an NBL Blitz match against the Perth Wildcats and will miss the entire 2022-23 NBL season.

Up by double digits, Hukporti awkwardly fell to the ground near the free-throw line while on offense. He immediately grabbed his left foot, looking whether he was kicked. He couldn't put any weight on his foot and was later carried to the locker room.

"We're hurting as a club because of the love we have for Ariel and how much he means to us, not just as an athlete, but as a great person," United head coach Dean Vickerman said.

"We are devastated for Ariel and wish him a speedy and successful recovery," league commissioner Jeremy Loeliger expressed. "Ariel is young, strong, and supremely talented and will bounce back from this latest setback."

Hukporti is part of the Next Stars program in the NBL. He averaged 7.2 points and 5 rebounds during the last season for the United. You can learn more about the NBL, the NBL Blitz, the Next Stars program, and more in our overview here.

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