Former NBL Next Star honoured with New York street name

The New York Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference Finals, over two decades since they last made it this far into the post-season. 

Standing in their way is a familiar foe - the Indiana Pacers - responsible for dumping them out of the playoffs during their 2000 run. 

As their latest run at a title continues, the city has chosen to honour the Knicks in a unique way - including a former NBL Next Star. 

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Former NBL Next Star honoured with New York street name

Ariel Hukporti has been honoured as part of the Knicks, with the city of New York temporarily renaming one of their streets in his name. 

Former @MelbUnited Next Star Ariel Hukporti has his own street in New York City 👀

Ahead of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, the New York City mayor has temporarily co-named streets of Manhattan to players from the @nyknicks 🗽 pic.twitter.com/V1ukQeO2uo

— NBL (@NBL) May 22, 2025

This comes as part of a wider initiative from NYC mayor Eric Adams, with each and every member of the 2024/25 Knicks roster given their own street, ahead of their return to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Knicks rookie saw his name attached to 7th Avenue and West 55th Street, in the middle of Midtown and just four blocks from Central Park. 

After spending three years in the NBL with Melbourne United, Hukporti was drafted by the Knicks with the 58th pick in the 2024 Draft, and averaged 1.9 points, 2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game in his rookie season. 

Full New York Knicks street names