Missouri’s biggest name Michael Porter, Jr. has played a grand total of 25 minutes of college basketball.
Life is a mystery
Everyone must stand alone
I hear Mizzou call my name
And it feels like home
— Madonna
— Michael Porter, Jr
Michael Porter, Jr., a freshman small forward for Missouri, is considered one of the nation’s best at his position and a potential NBA lottery pick. He’s the name in all the headlines about Mizzou — pending a breakout star from Friday’s Florida State NCAA Tournament first round match-up — but he’s also the biggest question mark. Because despite being a lock to declare for the NBA Draft after the tournament, Porter, Jr. has barely played this year.
To be clear, Porter, Jr.’s talent is not the question here. The freshman was a five-star recruit after leading his high school team to a 29-0 record and state championship. He was MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game. He was a young star at Team USA basketball events and NBA scouts were, are, remain smitten. The question is what can he do with Mizzou?
Porter, Jr. left Missouri’s 2017-18 season opener against Iowa State less than two minutes into the game with what was believed to be a hip injury. It turned out to be much more serious, requiring spinal surgery and keeping him off the court until the second round of the SEC tournament, when he came off the bench just three minutes into the game.
Tigers fans were hype when Porter, Jr. took the floor. Yes, the team has been good, 10-8 in the conference, 20-12 overall and Porter, Jr.’s younger brother Jontay has been a fan favorite and complete player revelation, but still. Michael Porter, Jr. was the most highly touted recruit in program history.
Still, to hear Michael Porter, Jr. tell it, he’s all-in on this Mizzou tournament run. Spoilsports (does anyone say spoilsport anymore?) will say that he shouldn’t even bother playing. Assuming the Tigers beat Florida State, they are unlikely to come out victorious against (presumably) Virginia in the second round and it’s not worth the risk of reaggravating an injury. Then again, the Mizzou team that earned the No. 8 seed didn’t have Porter. March Madness is all about believing you can do it. And when asked by reporters why he was playing, he answered with a logic that belies the fact that, while he’s an elite athlete who will imminently make millions, he’s also still a 19-year-old kid who sees his team and his friends and a challenge and a chance to do something big: He said, “I just wanted to — if I could help the team — help the team.”
In that return game against Georgia, Porter, Jr. was an exciting presence but with 12 points on 17 shots, he was not himself. In Friday’s game against Florida State, it may be much of the same. It doesn’t matter so much for Porter, Jr. as it matters for Mizzou.
Michael Porter, Jr. is great, but what he looks like on Missouri remains a mystery.
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