Michael Porter Jr.’s freshman season at Missouri is likely to be basically lost to injury now, and Twitter has reacted to the news.
After suffering a back injury early in Missouri’s season opener against Iowa State, freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. has missed the last three games. Now he’s going to miss a lot more time, with back surgery slated for Tuesday, and Porter Jr. is likely to miss the rest of the season.
Porter is facing a three-to-four month recovery after surgery, with the wide end of that being March in the midst of the NCAA Tournament. So his season is almost surely over, before it even really got going. He released a statement about his situation.
"“I really appreciate the support of my family & program as I begin this process,” Porter said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the kind words & messages I’ve received from fans. Those mean a lot to me. I cannot wait to be completely healthy and playing the game I love, once again.”"
Porter was considered a likely one-and-done player, and a virtual lock to be a top-five pick in the 2018 NBA Draft after the formality of one year in college. That can all be put into question now. The school released a statement, with the details about Porter’s surgery.
Statement from #Mizzou:
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) November 21, 2017
Michael Porter, Jr. will undergo surgery on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Dallas, Texas. The procedure, a microdiscectomy of the L3-L4 spinal discs, has a projected recovery time of three-four months and will likely cause him to miss the remainder of the season.
As expected, Twitter has reacted to the news.
Two months ago, Mizzou fans were ready to fire Barry Odom and anxious for basketball season to arrive. Now, Missouri is going to a bowl game, and Michael Porter Jr. might play all of two minutes for the Tigers.
— Aaron Reiss (@aaronjreiss) November 21, 2017
As an avid #KUHoops fan, honestly sick for #MUTigers. Michael Porter Jr. seems like a great kid. Good MU hoops is good for region. Prayers for MPJ for a swift recovery. #BorderWar #Mizzou vs #KU needs to be annual charity event!
— Jimmy Dodd (@JimmyDoddKC) November 21, 2017
With Michael Porter Jr. likely missing the remainder of the season, will he...
— Nick Yahl (@NickYahl) November 21, 2017
Just saw the news about Michael Porter Jr. #mizzou pic.twitter.com/CDmYIs49rM
— Melissa Black (@MelissaRBlack) November 21, 2017
Sorry to hear that Michael Porter Jr. is out for the season. Hoping he gets healthy and comes back to #Mizzou next year.
— Tobin Perry (@tobinperry) November 21, 2017
Just saw the news on Michael Porter Jr. That sucks so bad. I was excited to see that kid play in the SEC this season. Injuries are the worst.
— Zac Boehnke (@zacboehnke) November 21, 2017
Michael Porter Jr. is having surgeryand is missing the rest of the season.. meaning he’s returning for his sophomore season.. meaning the Bulls little chance of getting him is gone. This is why I am a Warriors fan.
— Kayan ☥𓂀 (@blesseduppapi) November 21, 2017
Lottery just got a little less appealing with Missouri announcement Michael Porter Jr. out for season with back surgery.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) November 21, 2017
Michael Porter Jr is opting for surgery way to quick. rehab rehab rehab. I had the same back surgery ask Tiger Woods and Steve Kerr how that went. Porter future is at risk.
— Gavin Burt (@coachburtbmcc) November 21, 2017
My favorite memory of the Michael Porter Jr. era at Mizzou is when people speculated he wasn't playing for disciplinary reasons.
— Geoff with a G (@GGerling) November 21, 2017
Michael Porter Jr. Is a special talent. So versatile, so skilled. Great kid. Really sad his college career could wind up encompassing 2 minutes.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 21, 2017
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It’s still a fairly remote possibility, as long as his recovery goes as expected, but Porter could come back to Missouri for his sophomore year. With his brother Jontay, and the rest of this year’s top-10 recruiting class coach Cuonzo Martin put together after being hired, this season is not necessarily a lost cause for the Tigers.