The 2021 NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 29th in Brooklyn. As that date continues to draw closer, the hype surrounding the incoming rookie class will only intensify. Draft night always marks an evening of newfound hope for the future. Franchise goals can range from rounding out a contending roster to drafting a cornerstone player for the future. Among the many intriguing prospects in this year’s NBA Draft is German center Ariel Hukporti out of Nevezis Kedainiai in the Lithuanian Basketball League.

The following is a complete Ariel Hukporti NBA Draft profile, including stats, highlights and a mock projection.

Ariel Hukporti NBA Draft Profile, Stats, Highlights and Projection

Ariel Hukporti
Position:
Center
Height: 7’0”
Weight: 251 lbs.
Age: 19
Team: Nevezis Kedainiai

Ariel Hukporti 2020-21 Stats

  • Games Played: 21
  • Points: 10.4
  • Rebounds: 7.4
  • Assists: 1.4
  • Field Goal Percentage: 41.7%
  • 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 27.7%
  • Free Throw Percentage: 53.6%
  • Steals: 0.9
  • Blocks: 1.2
  • Turnovers: 3.0

Ariel Hukporti Highlights

Ariel Hukporti NBA Draft Profile

Strengths

There is certainly a level of speculation for any team that decides to take Ariel Hukporti in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old center from Germany is still very much learning and refining his game. What we do know is that he is mobile, quick and athletic. It’s his play at the defensive end that has many scouts particularly intrigued. Some believe he could be an NBA big man with the ability to step out and guard smaller, quicker guards. While rebounding, defense and hustle will be the things to earn him his NBA keep initially, Hukporti has shown flashes of offensive ability. He is a project but could be a worthwhile one.

Weaknesses

For now, Hukporti’s offensive arsenal is very limited. Nearly all of his scoring comes right at the rim or in close to the basket. However, he has shown signs of progress when it comes to expanding his range. Hukporti is still a work in progress and will need to improve his basketball IQ. Work ethic will be a key personality trait for scouts to assess. 

Pro Comparison

Thomas Bryant

Credit: Baumann/Stuttgarter Nachrichten

Ariel Hukporti Draft Projection

All 2021 NBA Draft projections are taken from the latest Bleacher Report mock draft by Jonathan Wasserman.

Ariel Hukporti is currently projected to be drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 40 overall.


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Henry’s passion for sports dates all the way back to childhood and has ultimately led to a full-fledged career as an analyst and content creator. After getting his start penning fantasy football articles, he forrayed into the betting side of the business in early 2019. His love for sports and statistics proved to be an ideal match with the dedicated research and strategy that handicapping requires. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball and NASCAR. He counts the NFL, the WNBA, and NBA player props as additional leagues/markets of interest. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Most of Henry’s free time is spent on outdoor adventures, playing chess, snowboarding, or reading a good book. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years.

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