"Blessed" –– The only word Mizzou senior forward Cierra Porter considers suitable to describe her athletic journey at the University of Missouri.
Even after years of lingering knee issues, medically retiring from basketball in mid-2018 and battling back to rejoin the Mizzou women's basketball team this past January, Porter sees the tremendous adversity she has faced over the past four years as fundamental in shaping the athlete and woman she is today.
"Yes, I've overcome so much in my career, but I wouldn't have been able to if this isn't where God wanted me to be," Porter said. "He's paved the pathway for me to come back stronger than ever, so I've definitely been blessed in that regard."
The daughter of Michael, a former University of New Orleans guard, and Lisa Porter, a University of Iowa forward and Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1984, Cierra Porter was born with the game of basketball in her blood. The Porter family household in Columbia, Missouri, was practically a full-time basketball court throughout Cierra's childhood, as all eight of Michael and Lisa's children took up the game as they grew.
Porter's athletic talents at Rock Bridge High School garnered widespread attention –– the 6-foot-4 senior forward quickly rose to national prominence as one of the country's elite post players in the 2015 recruiting class.
With a slew of scholarship offers from various blue-chip collegiate programs, the four-time MBCA all-state honoree had a difficult decision to make.
In the end, the lure of playing college basketball close to her family and friends, and playing for her aunt –– Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton –– was too enticing for Porter to deny. Along with Maclay School's Hannah Schuchts and fellow Rock Bridge phenom Sophie Cunningham, Porter signed with the Missouri Tigers in late 2014.
Now, four years later, as the final words are being written in Porter's Mizzou women's basketball story, the senior feels deeply confident in herself and her abilities as she enters the next chapter of her life.
Porter credits her poise and resilience to the many lessons she's learned as a Tiger basketball player.
"Without a doubt, the best thing I've learned at Mizzou is to do everything the right way," she said. "That's Coach P's mantra and she makes sure we stick to that rule."
"Hard work and always doing things the right way just make the rewards that much sweeter."
A gifted photographer and videographer, Porter yearns to travel the world –– with her camera in hand –– in the coming years.
"I'll go anywhere those two things take me," she said. "I don't have a specific location in mind, but I just know those are two passions of mine that I really enjoy doing."
Aldridge, Cunningham and Porter's departures leave massive shoes to fill, not only in terms of talent, but with regard to team leadership as well.
However, Porter has the utmost faith that Mizzou women's basketball will continue along its current "upward trajectory" thanks to the program's steadfast leader, head coach Robin Pingeton.
"Coach P is an outstanding coach," Porter said. "She's started at the bottom at all of her past programs and has elevated all of her teams."
"If everyone buys into what she's doing, the sky's the limit for Mizzou women's basketball."
Over 1,000 points scored...a top-10 rebounder in program history...an SEC All-Freshman Team selection….one incredible comeback to her lifelong passion.
With all of the astounding feats she has accomplished at the University of Missouri, Porter feels the greatest gift she can bestow back to her beloved program is gratitude.
"There are so many people who would do anything to be in the position I'm in, even on hard days or after a loss," she said. "Even when it's tough, I have to remember that I have it pretty good."
"So, I'm grateful for what I've been given and intend to continue showing that gratitude by spreading positivity anywhere my life's journey takes me."
Mizzou will honor its three seniors in the Class of 2019 - Cierra Porter, Lauren Aldridge and Sophie Cunningham - on Sunday, March 3 when the Tigers host Alabama. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is slated for 2 p.m. CT, the the Senior Day festivities beginning at 1:40 p.m. CT.