Washington releases Porter Jr. from commitment; Mizzou hires Porter Sr.
Michael Porter Jr. became the Gatorade National Player of the Year at Nathan Hale High in Seattle. Michael Porter Jr. became the Gatorade National Player of the Year at Nathan Hale High in Seattle.
SEATTLE -- Washington released high school star Michael Porter Jr. from his national letter of intent on the same day his father was hired as assistant coach by the Missouri Tigers.
Washington confirmed the decision to release Porter on Thursday, one day after new Washington coach Mike Hopkins was formally introduced. Porter had committed to Washington under former coach Lorenzo Romar. Porter's father, Michael Porter Sr., was an assistant on Romar's staff.
Hours after Washington's announcement, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirmed that Porter Sr. would be going to work for new Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin. Mizzou fans hope the hire will result in Porter Jr.'s commitment to the Tigers -- and perhaps his younger brother Jontay, also a highly rated recruit, as well.
Two of Porter's sisters play basketball at Mizzou. And before going to Washington, Porter Sr. was an assistant for the Mizzou women's basketball team, whose coach is Robin Pingeton, his sister-in-law.
Porter is widely regarded as the top high school senior in the country. He was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year on Wednesday and told reporters after receiving the award that he would be requesting his release but wasn't ruling out Washington as his possible final destination.