Michael Porter Jr. has played just two minutes in his Missouri Tigers career, but it doesn’t have to end when the buzzer sounds on their season.
Missouri Tigers fans waited and prayed for the day when they would get to see Michael Porter Jr. take the court for the team again.
That day almost came on Saturday. There were rumblings that Porter would be able to take the court in the team’s home finale against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
That plan, however, hit a snag, forcing the star freshman to miss yet another game. Now, he’s hoping to return for the SEC Tournament instead.
Throughout the year, it’s been a foregone conclusion that this would be Porter’s only collegiate season. He entered the year as a potential top-five NBA Draft pick and will probably conclude the year around the same status.
Porter should give some thought to sticking around for another year, though.
Money and professional admiration are powerful motivators. No college basketball player should be berated for choosing to chase those things as quickly as possible. But they will still be here a year from today.
People are making the argument that Porter Jr. shouldn’t come back for the SEC Tournament or postseason this year to protect his body ahead of the NBA Draft. The same argument can easily be applied to returning to school next year.
But his back injury clearly didn’t hamper his stock too much this year. That means a catastrophic injury shouldn’t do the same next year. Conversely, it would give Porter an opportunity to prove how well he can play against elite talent and boost his stock.
The argument for his return goes beyond money, however. Fans and analysts often forget that players are actually students who go to classes and hang out with their friends. It’s an experience that often doesn’t come around again in a person’s life.
If Porter wants to stick around for his friends and his brother, Jontay Porter, all the power to him.
Next: Player of the Year rankings
Michael Porter Jr. will find riches and fulfillment if he leaves for the 2018 NBA Draft. He might find something greater if he sticks around another year.