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Ariel Hukporti became the second straight NBL Next Star to win a NBA championship over the weekend.
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15 Jun
NBL.com.au
The New York Knicks ended a 53-year NBA championship drought on Sunday, defeating San Antonio 94-90 in Game 5 on Sunday.
Playing a part in the Knicks’ success was former NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti.
In the Series-clinching Game 5 win, former Melbourne United big man Hukporti was called on to play key minutes, as fellow big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitch Robinson battled foul trouble and inconsistency.
In his limited time on court in Game 5, the German big man tallied one assist, one offensive rebound and one crucial block on Luke Kornet.
This was Hukporti’s 64th appearance for the Knicks during the 2025-26 campaign – a season in which he posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals.
Joining Hukporti as Knicks NBA champions with connections to the NBL are assistant coaches Rick Brunson and Chris Jent, who spent time with Adelaide and North Melbourne, respectively, during their playing careers.
Hukporti’s success with the Knicks makes him the second-straight Next Star to win the NBA title, after New Zealand’s Ousmane Dieng was part of Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship.
Also part of the Thunder’s run to the crown last season was Brisbane Bullets forward Alex Ducas.
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