Michael Porter Jr. is ready for another state title, this time in a different state. (Photo: USA Basketball)
ATHLETE PROFILE:
Name: Michael Porter Jr.
School: Nathan Hale (Seattle)
Sport: Boys Basketball
Position: Forward
Michael Porter Jr. led Father Tolton Catholic (Columbia, Mo.) to its first basketball state title in March with a 62-60 win over Barstow (Kansas City, Mo.), and now that he’s felt the thrill of victory the only thing he’s focused on is feeling it again; this time in a different state.
“I want to win back-to-back state titles in different states,” Porter said. “That’s my main goal.”
He can thank his father Mike Sr. for providing the platform to achieve said goal, he relocated the family to Washington after taking an assistant coaching position with the Huskies.
Porter Jr., who committed to Washington last month, will suit up at Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.), where he’ll play for former NBA star Brandon Roy.
“I’m definitely looking forward to learning from him,” Porter said of Roy. “My dream is to play in the NBA and he’s been there and was one of the best players while he was there.”
Porter has similar potential; reputable NBA Draft boards already predict him being picked No. 2 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Makes sense.
At 6-foot-9, Porter can handle the ball like a guard, thread the needle like a star quarterback, get into the lane at-will, knock down the perimeter jump shot and defend all five positions on the floor.
Porter, who is ranked No. 4 overall in the ESPN 100, took Co-MVP honors at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in July after he dropped 33 points to lead Mokan Elite (Mo.) past the PSA Cardinals (N.Y.) 93-65 to claim the title.
Porter averaged 26.4 points and 11.4 rebounds per game at Peach Jam.
Just after that he scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists to lead USA Basketball’s U18 team to the gold medal in a 99-84 win over Canada at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile.
Still, he’ll have his work cut out for him this season at Nathan Hale, the Raiders finished 2-18 last season.
“I trust Coach Roy and my brothers are good and we’ve also got a few transfers coming in,” Porter said. “I feel like we’re gonna be set. This whole situation is a great test for me and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY
