In-Depth with @MizzouHoops: The Freshest Freshman, Jontay Porter
11/15/2017 7:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Tiger forward, who reclassified from the 2018 recruiting class, fits in well with Mizzou
by Sheridan Powell, Mizzou Strategic Communications
COLUMBIA, Mo. - In a more normal situation, Jontay Porter (Columbia, Mo.) would have started practice for his high school basketball team this week. With his family moving home to Columbia, he would have returned to Father Tolton Catholic High School, where he helped lead the Trailblazers to a state championship his sophomore year.
With his level of athleticism and skill, Porter could have surely put forth another standout prep season. He would have spent time with old friends, sent applications off to colleges, and maybe gone to prom. Instead, just two days away from his 18th birthday, Porter stepped onto Norm Stewart Court at Mizzou Arena to the deafening cheers of another sell-out crowd.
Porter, a Columbia native, reclassified in late July in order to join his older brother, Michael, Jr., at Mizzou this season. The draw of a continued family dynamic – a chance to play both under his father, Michael, Sr., and alongside his brother at a competitive level – was too good to pass up. As a duo, the Porter Brothers have a pretty impressive track record – they have won back-to-back state titles in both Missouri and Washington. Just turning 18, Porter is by far the youngest member of the team, and with that comes many challenges. However, after only the first two games of his collegiate career, he has risen to the occasion.
When asked about his transition from high school to college, Porter reflected on little sign of struggle.
"It wasn't too much of an adjustment, honestly," Porter said. "Just because I have been going every day and practicing with these experienced guys on the squad. They are, in my opinion, the best people to go against. The adjustment wasn't too much, but obviously the crowd and the environment is way different."
In only his second game, the 99-55 win over Wagner (Nov. 13), Porter tallied 11 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, falling just shy of his first career double-double. He came off the bench hot, draining nine points in his first eight minutes on the floor. He shot 62 percent from the field and helped hold the visiting Seahawks to 21 first-half points and a 26.9 shooting percentage from the field.
"It was so much fun to be out there with my guys," Porter said. "Obviously, it was a good first half for us, low on turnovers and high on assists. It was a great first half and was just fun to be out there."
His commanding first half performance pushed the Tigers to a 54-21 lead at half time, the largest lead at half for Mizzou in any game since Dec. 27, 2010 against Northern Illinois. Mizzou's dominance continued throughout the remainder of the game, and Porter earned a standing ovation from the crowd as he was subbed out with eight minutes remaining in the assured victory.
Head coach Cuonzo Martin had high praise for Porter after the game.
"I think the biggest key with Jontay is he's a guy that does a lot of things," Martin said. "He rebounds the ball, he passes the ball, and he does a good job of defending. He does a lot of things passing the ball, but is also shot-ready."
Martin hopes as he gains more experience, Porter will become more aggressive and become even more of an offensive threat.
The Tigers travel to Utah on Thursday, Nov. 18, to face off against the Utes. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.
