Missouri standout Michael Porter Jr. spoke to reporters at the draft combine in Chicago today and confirmed he has met with the Knicks, Mavericks, Sixers, Suns, Cavaliers, Hawks, Grizzlies, Rockets and Clippers, tweets Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. He will have another set of interviews tomorrow as he is scheduled to meet with the Kings, Hornets, Thunder and Celtics.
Porter, 19, missed most of his freshman campaign after he suffered a serious back injury just two minutes into the season. Porter underwent surgery –a microdiscectomy of the L3-L4 spinal discs — which sidelined him until the SEC tournament later in the season. In total, Porter appeared in three games with the Tigers, averaging 10.0 PPG and 6.7 RPG. However, Porter spoke confidently about his abilities and how he compares to other talents in this year’s draft pool.
“I know without a doubt that I’m the — I played against all these guys, they’re all great players — but I’m the best player in this draft,” Porter said. “And I just can’t wait to show what I’m capable of.”
Check out more notes related to the draft below:
- We relayed earlier that Texas big man Mohamed Bamba measured in with a staggering 7’10” wingspan at the combine. Bamba would have the longest wingspan of any player coming into the NBA since 2000. Speaking to reporters, including Madeline Kenney of the Chicago-Sun Times, Bamba addressed his strongest attribute.“I’d say my biggest strength right now, just one word to summarize it all, is just my presence,” Bamba said. “Both offensively and defensively, the presence that I have is pretty profound. I don’t think any other prospect has this presence. I do more but require less. That’s both on the court and off the court. I feel I’m the most efficient guy in this draft class.” Bamba confirmed he has met with 13 teams, tweets ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
- Alabama point guard Collin Sexton is at the draft combine and has already met with five teams, Alabama head coach Avery Johnson said to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. Sexton has yet to interview with the Mavericks but that could happen by Friday. Sexton did meet with the Knicks, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
- The Timberwolves are set to interview Duke shooting guard Grayson Allen, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN.
Chicago won’t be stupid, they’ll draft MPJ.
So you’re saying they’re stupid.
I hope he’s still on the board, when the Bulls are on the clock..
If so, the Bulls would be idiots not to take Porter Jr. They desperately need help on the wings, and Porter Jr. would be the perfect piece to add to their young core of Markk, Dunn, LaVine, Portis, and even guys like Valentine and Nwaba..
Also, hopefully, they can get a solid talent at #23, possibly a Center project..
Watch Porter Jr average 21 ppg.
Watch him be like 75% of kids coming out of * high school
Let’s be real he didn’t play match in college
The catch-22 with Porter is that you’re probably getting the most gifted player in this draft. But if you’re getting him at 7, then it’s most likely due to medical red flags.
I’m resigned to the Bulls getting Bamba at 7. He’s not the guy I’d take if they had a top3 pick. But he’s going to be damn good. And I am very optimistic about how he’d compliment Markhannen. I think about how Chandler turned around the Mavs earlier this decade by doing all the things Dirk couldn’t do. And I think Bamba could be that for the Bulls, doing all the dirty work that Markhannen can’t.
I love the thunder are meeting with porter…..you know In case he falls to the 50s….or some team in the lottery will trade his rights for Melo.
Good luck with that thunder.
Porter and perfect fit for the knicks at 9