Nation’s top recruit, Mizzou’s Michael Porter Jr. to miss season

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COLUMBIA, Mo.Michael Porter, Jr. will undergo surgery on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Dallas, Texas. The procedure, a microdiscectomy of the L3 and L4 spinal discs, has a projected recovery time of three-four months and will likely cause him to miss the remainder of the season. Michael is expected to make a complete recovery, and the Mizzou Men’s Basketball program wishes Michael the best during this process.

“Our top priority as a program is the well-being of our student-athletes, so Michael beginning this process to be 100 percent healthy is important to all of us,” said head coach Cuonzo Martin.  “Our focus has been on Michael’s well-being, just like every other player in our locker room. We will continue to work every day to build Mizzou Basketball into a program to be proud of. We’re preparing now for a trip that is a tremendous opportunity. I’m excited to get after it in Orlando.”

“I really appreciate the support of my family and the Mizzou Men’s Basketball program as I begin this process,” said Porter.  “I’m thankful for all the kind words and messages I’ve received from fans. Those mean a lot to me. I cannot wait to be completely healthy and playing the game I love, once again.”

Porter scored two points in two minutes of the Nov. 10 season opener against Iowa State.  He missed the last three games as a precaution and was listed as day-to-day.

Porter came to Mizzou along with his younger brother Jontay as part of the most highly-touted recruiting class in Mizzou basketball History.  The 6’10” forward was rated as the number one recruit in the nation by several publications and considered a likely “one and done” player who could potentially be the top pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

He originally committed to Washington in 2016, but later changed his commitment to Mizzou after the Huskies fired head coach Lorenzo Romar, Porter Jr.’s godfather, and his father Michael Porter Sr. was hired on as an assistant by Cuonzo Martin at Mizzou.

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