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Missouri Basketball: Top recruit Michael Porter Jr. commits to Tigers

By Drew Dinnhaupt

Feb 17, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; California Golden Bears head coach Cuonzo Martin reacts during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; California Golden Bears head coach Cuonzo Martin reacts during the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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The nation’s No. 1 recruit, Michael Porter Jr. committed to Missouri basketball shortly after being released from his Letter of Intent from Washington.

2017 5-star small forward Michael Porter Jr. has committed to the University of Missouri, he announced Friday afternoon. Porter is regarded as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the senior class, according to ESPN.

Related Story: Is Cuonzo Martin the right choice for Mizzou?

Porter initially committed and later signed to the University of Washington, where his father, Michael Porter Sr., was hired as an assistant coach. Due to the firing of former Washington coach Lorenzo Romar, Porter Sr. left and was soon hired by Cuonzo Martin and Missouri. Porter Jr. was released of his Letter of Intent to Washington, allowing him to verbally commit to Mizzou.

At 6’10”, Porter can drive to the basket with ease, while having excellent perimeter skills, including his range from beyond the arc and ball handling. Porter is undoubtedly among the most versatile players in all of high school basketball with proficiency in virtually all facets of the game. According to ESPN, Porter has a 7’9″ wingspan, certainly allowing him to impact the game on the defensive end as well.

Recently named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Porter Jr., as well as his brother Jontay, a junior, led Nathan Hale to a 3A Washington state title this season. According to USAB.com, Porter posted 27 points and 17 rebounds in the title game. On the season, Porter averaged 34.8 points per game and 13.8 rebounds per game. He totaled 3,427 points during his high school career.

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Porter joins 4-star point guard C.J. Roberts as Missouri’s 2017 commitments. There are talks of 2018 4-star power forward Jontay Porter reclassifying to the 2017 class in hopes that he can play alongside his brother at the collegiate level, considering Michael Porter Jr. is a likely one-and-done. The commitment of Porter brings relevancy to the Missouri men’s basketball program that has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2013.

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