Michael Porter Jr has long been regarded as the top prospect in the 2017 class of college freshman and a potential number one pick in the 2018 NBA draft. The young man, originally from Missouri, played this past season as a member of the Nathan Hale Patriots, coached by former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy. The team saw immense success this year and ended their campaign with Roy taking home the Naismith High School Coach of the Year, and Porter was named the High School Player of the Year.
As of two weeks ago, Porter was ready to join the Washington Huskies basketball team, a program looking to rebuild their basketball program with top flight talents like Porter and potential number one overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz. But then the Huskies did something pretty odd, considering their prospects. They fired longtime head coach Lorenzo Romar following a 9-22 season and almost immediately they lost some top recruits.
Class of 2018 Number 26 prospect Jontay Porter, younger brother of Michael Porter Jr, decommitted from Washington earlier this month. Now his older brother is following in his footsteps.
Following from Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times.
Nathan Hale star Michael Porter Jr. asked & expects to receive release of NLI from Washington. Reconsidering options, said UW still on list
— Jayda Evans (@JaydaEvans) March 22, 2017
Michael Porter Jr. family shared that from talk between players, MPJ only incoming freshman new UW coach Mike Hopkins hasn't reached out to
— Jayda Evans (@JaydaEvans) March 22, 2017
Michael Porter Jr. family shared that from talk between players, MPJ only incoming freshman new UW coach Mike Hopkins hasn't reached out to
— Jayda Evans (@JaydaEvans) March 22, 2017
It’s pretty rare to see the number one recruit decommit this late into the process, but he has every right to. The coaching changes are obviously going to be a death blow to Washington and will force them to restart their process. Porter is now a favorite to join the Missouri Tigers program who recently hired former Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin and the coach reportedly made an offer to Michael Porter Sr to join his coaching staff.
