COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball has signed the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, Michael Porter, Jr. (Columbia, Mo.) to its 2017 recruiting class, head coach Cuonzo Martin announced on Wednesday. Porter returns home to Columbia, Missouri, as the Tigers’ first McDonald’s All-America signee since 2000. The 6-10, 215-pound forward played his senior season for Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Washington, in 2016-17, averaging an outstanding 36.2 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.
The signing of Porter brings the Show-Me State back one of its own to cheer for as the talented future Tiger starred for Father Tolton Catholic in Columbia from 2013-16, leading the Trailblazers to the 2016 Missouri Class 3 State Championship inside Mizzou Arena.
“It goes without saying, but Michael is a special player and a special person,” Martin said. “Michael comes to the Mizzou Family from a great family of his own, and our basketball program is thrilled to have a student-athlete with his character, drive and passion. Lisa and Michael Porter, Sr., raised Michael well. He is continually motivated to give and is always striving to be a great teammate.
“Most of all, welcome home to Michael. Mizzou is a special place and Columbia is a community that already knows him well. I’m looking forward to Michael representing Mizzou well, on and off the court and in the classroom, and I’m sure he looks forward to it, as well.”
As a junior in 2015-16, Porter averaged 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game and helped Tolton to a 26-3 record and Columbia’s first high school state basketball championship in 54 years.
As a senior in 2016-17, the Porter-powered Nathan Hale squad posted a perfect 29-0 record en route to the Washington Class 3A State Championship. The state title was the first-ever for the Seattle school.
Honored as the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago on March 29, Porter completed a significant trifecta of awards by also garnering the Naismith and Gatorade Boys national player of the year awards. He is just the fifth basketball player ever to claim all three honors and first since 2004, joining the prolific listing of Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Chris Webber (1991) and Alonzo Mourning (1988).
Porter is Mizzou’s sixth all-time McDonald’s All-American signee; the first since Travon Bryant (2000). Porter’s name resides on a list that also includes: Albert White (1995), Anthony Peeler (1988), Derrick Chievous (1984) and Steve Stipanovich (1979).
Porter is considered the nation’s top recruit by ESPN.com and Rivals, as well as a five-star prospect by the aforementioned outlets and Scout.com and 247Sports. Additionally selected as USA Today’s All-USA Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Porter was named to All-America teams by USA Today, Associated Press, the Naismith Trophy and MaxPreps.
Beyond mere accolades, Porter has showcased his talent on national and international levels, playing for the Team USA U-18 squad on multiple occasions while earning a spot in the Jordan Brand Classic (April 14).
The son of Lisa and Michael Porter, Sr., Michael Porter, Jr. has seven siblings: Bri, Cierra, Jontay, Coban, Jevan, Izaak and Jayda. Older sisters Bri and Cierra play for Mizzou Women’s Basketball, coached by their aunt, Robin Pingeton. His father, Michael Porter, Sr., serves as an assistant coach on Martin’s staff. His mother, Lisa, played college basketball at Iowa, while his father played collegiately at New Orleans.
Porter’s signing of a financial aid agreement with the University of Missouri includes him in a growing recruiting class with incoming guard C.J. Roberts (North Richland Hills, Texas).
— Mizzou Athletics —