Meet Ariel Hukporti, the Knicks’ unknown center starting due to injury

The New York Knicks open their season against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, though they'll be without both Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart. 

Hart is dealing with back spasms, while Robinson will sit out the regular-season opener due to left ankle injury management. With the team's starting center sidelined, 2024 second-round pick Ariel Hukporti is expected to get the starting nod, according to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York. 

Hukporti is projected to join Karl-Anthony Towns — who is expected to play through a strained right quad — in the frontcourt, matching up against Cleveland's talented pairing of bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

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Who is Ariel Hukporti? 

Hukporti was selected by the Knicks with the No. 58 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Before entering the draft, the 23-year-old center played internationally with Melbourne United in Australia. During the 2023-24 campaign, he averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game across 28 appearances. 

Hukporti saw limited run during his rookie year with the Knicks last season, averaging just 8.7 minutes per contest in 25 regular-season games. He drew one start with both Towns and Robinson sidelined in a win over the 76ers on Feb. 26, posting eight points, two rebounds and one block while shooting 80 percent from the field in 16 minutes. 

The German-born center also appeared in seven games with the organization's G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. He showcased his shot-blocking ability during that span, averaging 6.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 21.1 minutes per contest. 

While the 7-footer isn't guaranteed the same playing time as New York's usual starters Wednesday, he'll get an opportunity to show he can handle increased minutes in his sophomore season. 

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