New York Knicks Convert Ariel Hukporti To Standard Contract

NEW YORK, November 5, 2024 – The New York Knicks announced today that the team has signed Ariel Hukporti.

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 in a draft day deal. This season, he has totaled seven rebounds and four blocks in four regular season games. Hukporti also averaged 4.0 points on 63.6-percent shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 0.8 steals over 12.3 minutes in four preseason games. He also played in five games for the Knicks during 2024 NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas where he averaged 8.4 points on 64.3-percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 18.9 minutes.

Hukporti, prior to the NBA, 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). Before 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.