Rookie Ariel Hukporti leans on advice from former Knick Isaiah Hartenstein
Ariel Hukporti throws down a dunk during warmups ahead of the NBL Practice Match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Melbourne United at Elphin Sports Centre on August 30, 2023 in Launceston, Australia. Credit: Getty Images/Simon Sturzaker
LAS VEGAS — When Ariel Hukporti was drafted by the Knicks, for a moment, he thought he might be united with Isaiah Hartenstein, a fellow German whom he’s known for years. But then he got his first lesson about NBA free agency and the quirks of the salary cap.
“I thought so. But then I thought, when I saw the money . . . ,” Hukporti said before bursting into laughter.
Hartenstein’s advice remains via text for now; he has departed for the Thunder and a three-year, $87 million contract. But the advice comes still as Hartenstein imparts what he learned during two years with the Knicks about Tom Thibodeau’s demands for defense and rebounding from his big men.
Hukporti, 22, a 6-11, 246-pounder, recently was drafted with the No. 58 overall pick, but he has been on Hartenstein’s radar for far longer than that. And with the advice he has gotten, he believes he’s ready.
“Definitely. I just feel like I’ll get used to the game a little bit more,” Hukporti said after his Knicks Summer League debut Saturday, when he had six points, five rebounds and two assists in 16:36 after starting at center. “Making the right reads, getting the system more. I feel like I can definitely fit in.
“I talked to Hartenstein a lot, too. He used to watch my high school games. We’re both German, so it’s actually quite good. We’ve been in connection. I’ve been talking to him. He’s been giving me some advice. I’m going to keep talking to him definitely because I feel our game is quite similar. I can definitely learn from him.
“I’ve known him since I’m 14. When I was playing under-16s, he came to my final four. That was the first time I’d seen him. He knew me already. He said, ‘You don’t have to introduce yourself anymore.’ It’s a great relationship. We’re just texting. Now that I’m playing for New York, I even asked him if I can take the No. 55. Is that allowed?”
The Knicks aren’t about to retire Hartenstein’s No. 55 after two seasons in which he was a backup before developing into a player who became the premier center on the free-agent market. With his departure, the Knicks are in need of a center to back up Mitchell Robinson and provide insurance against the injuries that repeatedly have sidelined him.
The free-agent market is scarce, as much of the talent signed elsewhere while the Knicks were hoping to retain Hartenstein. The Knicks’ own free agent, Precious Achiuwa, might be the best option available, but he is more of a power forward.
Hukporti, who signed a two-way contract with the Knicks, spent three seasons in Melbourne, sitting out the 2022-23 season with a ruptured Achilles. Last season he averaged 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game, so he at least has an opening to impress.
“Everybody’s positive,” Hukporti said. “I mean, the coaching staff is great, trying to help me. Everybody is trying to help me to fit in, get to know each other. It’s great. Practice has been great, too. Before training camp started, I was there before with Tyler [Kolek], just to get used to each other, pick-and-roll, defense, just getting used to the whole system. That was great. Thibs was there too, watching us. It was great.”
Hukporti quickly has learned that the demands and expectations are in place now.
“The Knicks told us as a matter of fact when we signed,” Hukporti said of reporting immediately after the draft to the team’s training facility to begin working in the system. “They told us straightaway to come the next day. So it was great. Tyler is a great point guard. Moves the ball, looks for people. So I love playing with him.”
And under the watchful eye of the Knicks’ coaching staff, Hukporti said he has embraced the thought of playing for Thibodeau.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I love coaches who want to win. I love coaches who will try to push the players. Of course, sometimes when he screams at you, you as a player, you might take it personally. But from his side, he’s just trying to get you better. I’m excited playing for him. He’s kind of similar to my coach in Berlin. [You] feel you’ve got to earn your minutes, defensive coach. I’m excited.”
Knicks Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto said, “I think all four [rookies] that we have, I want them to develop right professional habits. They came in right away after the draft, hit the ground running, learning things on the fly. We had a training camp there. Their approach to the game I think is excellent, it’s been good so far. So I want all four guys to focus on getting better each and every day.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
