Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman and star guard Matthew Dellavedova have lauded Next Star Ariel Hukporti and his capacity to learn and grow.

Hukporti played a key role in United’s 101-85 win over the Sydney Kings on Thursday night, adding to an already impressive campaign that has seen him rise to the 53^rd spot in ESPN’s best available board for the 2024 NBA draft.

Speaking after Hukporti’s 10-point, six-rebound performance, Vickerman explained how small details have led to massive strides in the Next Star’s skillset.

“He is going after everything at the moment and picking up second opportunities for us,” Vickerman said.

“His ability to screen, he has gotten so much better in his screening angles, Delly and the guards have been working with him about is it a switch, what is going on, how do you get the effective angle ... I think there has been massive growth.

“He is a sponge, and he wants to continue to get better. The patience part ... he is (going to) a second and third move, and that is really effective for him.”

Dellavedova, who knows all about the NBA after winning the 2016 title with the Cleveland Cavaliers and spending nine seasons in the Association, also heaped praise on the draft prospect.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Dellavedova ? Hukporti <br> <br>Watch the NBL ??<br><br>?? ESPN via Kayo<br>?? ESPN3 + ESPN App <a href="https://t.co/TpOdMQcxVE">pic.twitter.com/TpOdMQcxVE</a></p>&mdash; NBL Next Stars (@NBLNextStars) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBLNextStars/status/1742847831071928419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It is a lot of fun (to play with Hukporti). He is a great guy, great energy, and he is a sponge ... he wants to learn, he wants to get better,” Dellavedova said.

“He has really improved a lot and he is highly effective in his minutes.”

Dellavedova highlighted the efforts Hukporti was making off the ball that didn’t make the stat sheet, but were highly effective moments in Melbourne’s win.

“Even though he wasn’t getting the rewards or finishes early, on a couple of those Tanner (Krebs) threes he drew so much attention on the switch, got Tanner open, and then later on he got his reward on a lob or a dump off,” Dellavedova said.

United faces the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night at 8pm AEDT live on ESPN via Kayo Sports.