United to Unleash Game-Breaking Frontcourt

Friday, June 2, 2023

The small-ball style of basketball may have dominated the scene for years now, but Melbourne head coach Dean Vickerman believes teams will encounter “challenges” if they try to play that way against his United side in NBL24

The small-ball style of basketball may have dominated the scene for years now, but Melbourne head coach Dean Vickerman believes teams will encounter “challenges” if they try to play that way against his United side in NBL24.

The return of former MVP candidate Jo Lual-Acuil Jr to the club – coupled with the return to fitness of Next Star Ariel Hukporti – has given Melbourne the potential to unleash one of the most dynamic and intimidating frontcourts in the modern NBL game.

With Lual-Acuil standing at 211cm tall, and Hukporti at 213cm, Vickerman believes there is scope for the pair to play together in the upcoming season.

“For those guys to get the minutes they’re deserving of, they’re going to have to play together,” Vickerman told MU Media. “One of them is always going to have an advantage in the post.

“It’s going to be a tough matchup for whoever is going to try and stop them.

“If teams want to play small against them, they’re going to have challenges.

“Defensively, Ariel’s movement and agility – even if he is guarding a smaller guy, I think he’s capable of guarding that, as is Jo with his ability to get in a stance and use his length to guard guards.”

The pair did not take to the court together often during Lual-Acuil’s last stint at the club, which coupled as Hukporti’s first season in the NBL.

Hukporti started just one of his 30 appearances in his first season in the competition – NBL22 – and averaged just under 15 minutes per game, whereas Lual-Acuil Jr started in all 30 games he appeared in and played almost 26 minutes per contest.

Vickerman says the pair’s ability outside the paint will prove key in how they can play together.

“I’m excited to see which one of those two is shooting the basketball better and see their ability to assist each other,” he said.

“We saw it a little bit with their high-low game last time they were together.”

Melbourne’s first game of the NBL24 season will tip off on Thursday, September 28 against South East Melbourne.