COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball’s intimidating 2017-18 front court received a big addition Wednesday, as Jontay Porter (Columbia, Mo.) signed with head coach Cuonzo Martin‘s 2017 recruiting class. The 6-11, 240-pound forward officially reclassified from the 2018 class, bringing his post skills, shooting prowess and rebounding acumen back to his hometown of Columbia.
The big lefty, considered one of the nation’s top juniors by multiple outlets, averaged a double-double at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Washington, as a junior in 2016-17; 14.3 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Porter helped engineer a perfect 29-0 record for Nathan Hale, a season that culminated with winning the Washington Class 3A State Championship.
“We’re very excited about Jontay’s decision, which was a big one for him and his family,” Martin said. “Jontay is certainly a talented basketball player, but his outstanding work in the classroom should not be overlooked. The ability to reclassify requires a serious commitment to your academics. Jontay is a young man who takes pride in being a great teammate and communicator. He has the skill and knowledge of the game to contribute from day one, at both ends of the floor. This is a homecoming for Jontay, who is already extremely familiar with Columbia, and we’re thrilled to have him in the Mizzou Basketball Family.”
In the recent spring session of the Nike EYBL circuit, Porter averaged an impressive 18.1 points and 12.7 rebounds per game for MoKan Elite against some of the country’s top competition. Porter has stood out in the Class of 2018, earning Top 25 national recruit rankings from ESPN (11), Rivals.com (12) and 247Sports (23).
“Mizzou is home, so first of all, I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity to attend the University of Missouri,” Porter said. “Coach Martin and his staff are awesome, and they are definitely one of the things I look forward to most about playing for Mizzou. Moving up to college will be an easy transition for me, especially with my family here in Columbia. Mizzou Basketball will be something really special, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Porter helped lead Columbia’s Father Tolton Catholic High School to the Missouri Class 3 State Championship as a sophomore in 2015-16. Playing alongside current Tiger freshman and brother, Michael Porter, Jr., Jontay Porter averaged 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
The son of Lisa and Michael Porter, Sr., Jontay Porter, has seven siblings: Bri, Cierra, Michael, Coban, Jevan, Izaak and Jayda. Older sisters Bri and Cierra play for Mizzou Women’s Basketball, coached by their aunt, Robin Pingeton. His father, Porter, Sr., serves as an assistant coach on Martin’s staff. His mother, Lisa, played college basketball at Iowa, while his father played collegiately at New Orleans.
