Michael Porter Jr. commits to Mizzou
One of the most celebrated prep players in the history of the state of Missouri is returning home to play college basketball.
Former Tolton High star Michael Porter, Jr. has given a commitment to the University of Missouri today. The Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2017, Porter made his collegiate intentions known on an announcement via Twitter this afternoon.
Porter was a three-year star at Tolton Catholic in Columbia before moving to Seattle, WA. when his father, Michael Porter, Sr. joined Lorenzo Romar’s staff at Washington as an assistant coach.
In his one year in Seattle, Porter attended Nathan Hale High and led them to a 29-0 record, a state championship and a No. 1 national ranking. As a senior, Porter averaged 36 points and 14 rebounds a game.
The wheels for Porter’s return to Columbia were set in motion last week when Washington fired Romar as its head coach. On the same day, Mizzou hired Cuonzo Martin as its new head basketball coach. Shortly afterward, Martin offered an assistant coach’s job to Michael Porter, Sr.
Michael Porter, Sr. officially accepted Martin’s offer to join the staff at Mizzou on Thursday. One day later, Michael Jr. made his commitment to join his father in what is the most important recruiting day in Mizzou’s basketball history since former DeSmet star Steve Stipanovich committed to the Tigers in 1979.
Also returning to the state will be Michael’s brother, Jontay Porter, the 6’10” forward who is one of the top Class of 2018 prospects in the nation. Porter was a two-year standout at Tolton and helped his brother lead the Trailblazers to the state championship. There has been speculation that Jontay Porter may reclassify into the Class of 2017 so he can join his brother at Missouri.