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Missouri Basketball: Michael Porter, Jr. self-proclaimed ‘best player’ in NBA Draft

By Eric Quackenbush

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Michael Porter speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Michael Porter speaks with reporters during Day One of the NBA Draft Combine at Quest MultiSport Complex on May 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Even though Michael Porter, Jr. didn’t play for Mizzou until the post-season, the Missouri Tigers basketball team experienced a windfall 2017-18 season.

As the NBA Draft draws closer, former Missouri Tiger Michael Porter, Jr. self-proclaimed he is the “best player” in this year’s draft. I won’t go hard on the kid who’s now trying to sell his skills to the NBA, but sometimes, a little humility can go a long way.

In an interview with USA Today, Porter stated, “I mean, I played against all these guys. They’re all great players, but I’m the best player in this draft.”

Building up to the start of the 2017-18 season, head coach Cuonzo Martin assembled a who’s-who roster of talent. Martin’s first season as the Tigers’ coach was a success, as Missouri made its way to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a number of years.

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For the Tigers, Martin recruited highly-regarded Michael Porter, Jr., and later, his younger brother, Jontay Porter. Unfortunately, Michael Porter, Jr. didn’t see more than a couple minutes of the season, which was cut short due to a back injury.

Fairly early in the Tigers’ season, MPJ had his back surgically repaired, and then spent the remainder of the season rehabbing, in hopes of a later return for a Tigers’ tournament run.

Michael Porter, Jr. returned to the court for Mizzou’s brief tournament run, losses to Georgia (SEC Championship) and Florida State (NCAA Tournament).

The young man entered his freshman season as a highly-touted, No. 2 player in the recruiting class. As injuries go, his was ill-timed and never allowed him to prove his true worth over the course of the season.

Having declared for the NBA Draft, Michael Porter, Jr. will have to hone and refine his skills at the professional level. All teams will have to go on are high school highlight reels, some McDonald’s All American footage, and three games played as a Tiger, one in which he was injured, and another in which he started.

I don’t doubt that Michael Porter, Jr. has the talent to succeed at the next level. As a recruit, his skill set was quite impressive. On the other hand, how patient will an NBA team be, and how much time will a team devote for MPJ’s missed opportunity to develop at the amateur level?

Next: Missouri's Karissa Schweizer keeps winning

Yes, Michael Porter, Jr. believes he is the “best player” in the NBA Draft, but it will be a hard sell for the former Missouri Tiger who has so little to show to make such a certain proclamation.

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