COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball’s Michael Porter Jr. was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA Draft on Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Porter Jr. is Mizzou’s 45th all-time draft pick and the program’s first since Jordan Clarkson in 2014.

The Nuggets made Porter Jr. the 14th overall selection, Mizzou’s highest draft pick since Keyon Dooling was selected 10th overall by the Orlando Magic. Mizzou now has 15 First Round NBA Draft selections in program history.

Porter Jr. is the first Tiger ever drafted by the Nuggets. Former standout Linas Kleiza was selected by the Portland Trailblazers in 2005 and immediately traded to Denver on draft night. Porter Jr. is Mizzou’s ninth player drafted since 2000.

Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martin is on an impressive run of developing NBA players. In his 10-year head coaching career, Martin has now coached eight NBA draft picks, including three at Tennessee, four at California-Berkeley and one at Mizzou. All eight selections have come in the past five years.

Porter Jr. is the second NBA lottery pick to play for Martin, joining Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.

— Mizzou Athletics —