Melbourne United big man Ariel Hukporti will miss the entirety of the upcoming NBL season with the achilles injury he sustained against the Perth Wildcats in the pre-season Blitz tournament.
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Hukporti was preparing for his second season with United as part of the NBL's Next Star initiative - a program designed to prepare young international prospects for the NBA draft.
The German-born 20-year-old opted not to declare for last year's draft but ESPN rated him as likely 56th pick in their most recent projection for 2023.
With the departure of Jo Lual-Acuil from Melbourne's 2022 NBL first team, Hukporti had been set for more opportunities at centre this season.
But he will now watch United's campaign from the sidelines after slipping in the third quarter of the win in Darwin on Wednesday.
"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," head coach Dean Vickerman said.
"We'll be here for him every step of the recovery process and will fully support Ariel with anything he needs during the rehab."
United are set to look to former NBL Rookie Of The Year Isaac Humphries to fill the void at centre.
Australian Associated Press
