Missouri could get Michael Porter Jr. back at the best possible time.
Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin on Wednesday told Paul Finebaum on his radio show that freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. will make his return in the second round of the SEC tournament.
Porter missed the majority of the season recovering from back surgery after he suffered an injury two minutes into Missouri’s season-opener. The forward is a former No. 1 recruit who entered the season as a contender for the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The injury derailed those hopes, but a strong showing in the conference and NCAA tournaments could reignite the conversation about Porter in the top five.
Without Porter in the lineup, Missouri has rallied to a 20-11 record. Porter’s brother, Jontay, has turned himself into a potential first-round prospect with a versatile offensive game off the bench. The Tigers figure to be competitive this March, with or without Porter, which is why Martin and his staff had been patient bringing the freshman along.
Jontay re-classified in August to join Michael’s class and play with his brother. Many saw their potential chemistry as a boon to Missouri’s competitive odds this season, but Michael’s injury derailed those hopes.
ESPN currently lists Porter as the No. 6 prospect on its top 100. A deep tournament run would surely help scouts’ confidence about his full recovery.
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Missouri will play Georgia on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. ET in the second round of the SEC tournament, following their first-round bye. Georgia defeated Vanderbilt on Wednesday and will look to take advantage of the Tigers as they re-acclimate their star freshman.