Missouri’s Jontay Porter, who was projected as a possible first-round pick despite missing the season with torn ligaments in his right knee, recently re-tore his ACL, writes Alex Schiffer of The Kansas City Star.
The 6’11” sophomore tested the draft waters a year ago before deciding to return to the Tigers. He was projected as the 13th pick in a mock draft that ESPN’s Jonathan Givony compiled in August, but suffered a tear to his ACL and MCL in a preseason scrimmage. Despite the injuries, Porter was 25th in a mock draft put together by Givony and Mike Schmitz this week.
Porter was rehabbing the knee in Denver when the latest setback took place, according to Schiffer. Sources said the tear happened while Porter was on the court working out, rather than through rehab. Schiffer states that it’s not clear if Porter has been approved for on-court activities.
Porter was named co-Sixth Man of the Year in the Southeastern Conference as a freshman, averaging 9.9 PPG. He reclassified and skipped his senior season of high school to play alongside his brother, Michael Porter, who wound up missing almost the entire season after hurting his back. His health was a major topic of discussion leading up to last year’s draft and he wound up slipping to the Nuggets with the 14th pick.
Jontay Porter hadn’t announced whether he intended to try his luck in the draft again, but this week’s setback could affect his plans.
“I think this latest injury creates a major red flag around his re-torn ACL as far as the health of the knee going forward and his medical status in general,” an NBA scout told Schiffer. “While he had a real chance to be a first-round pick, a lot of teams will have to revisit their needs and priorities. Established playoff contenders may want to really look at him as he can rehab and won’t have to rush back versus a team looking for an immediate impact player.”
The kid needs to go back to school and work hard at getting a degree because his knees are probably not going to allow for a professional athletic career.
Who knows? Maybe he comes back healthy and has an outstanding junior or senior season and some teams takes a chance. But his best bet right now is the free education.
If he can get drafted even $100K would pay off tuition. I’d definitely do that over school full time because of the business networking only the NBA could offer.
You think he is going to get drafted with 2 torn ACLs on his resume?
Read the article. A playoff contender could take a flier on him and rehab him for a full year until he’s healthy enough to play. He’s a talented player
Yet another one that will regret not having gone pro last year, if he had, at least he would have signed a contract… now who knows if he will ever!
Sixers will take him with a 2nd.