How Jontay Porter’s double-double is connected to Missouri’s recruiting plans

Last July, Missouri signee and No. 1 recruit Michael Porter Jr. scored 33 points for his AAU team, Mokan Elite, as it won the Nike Peach Jam title game, considered the most prestigious tournament on the AAU circuit.

Newly minted five-star forward Jontay Porter may soon be following in his brother’s footsteps. He combined 30 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in Mokan Elite’s season opening win over the Georgia Stars in Hampton, Va., last night.

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Jontay Porter is set up to match his brother Michael’s prep success, which included winning an AAU championship as well as the mythical national title for high school basketball. Michael was only the third high school recruit since 2005 to finish as a perfect 1.000 recruit per the 247Sports Composite. Remaining in high school another year could help improve both Jontay’s national profile and his skill set while allowing him to play with some of the country’s top basketball recruits on the D1 circuit.

Show Me Hoops Show Down

Taking another look at the box score from last night, you might notice some familiar names, Carte'Are Gordon’s chief among them. The four-star St. Louis University commit didn’t play last night, and there may be something to that. Depending on who you believe, Gordon might be switching over to play for a different team — Corey Frazier’s Bradley Beal Elite, perhaps. Formerly known as the St. Louis Eagles, the team has featured such notable Missouri basketball prospects as Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Tyler Hansbrough and David Lee.

Mokan Elite team faced Bradley Beal Elite Saturday morning and Porter had another double-double game in a 59-55 win.

Afterwards, Jontay spoke with Evan Daniels about his upcoming visit to Missouri and announced he’d probably make a decision on his 2017 or 2018 status “sometime in the next week”.

Reportedly, Cuonzo Martin was at Park Hill High School yesterday for class of 2019 forward Roman Wilson, a 6’9, 205-pound, four-star prospect who plays for Mokan Elite along side Jontay.

After a busy weekend Jontay will be making an official visit to Missouri this coming Monday, along with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl from Bishop Miege High School, a 2019 forward and son of former Kansas forward Lester Earl.

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Speaking of Jeremiahs

East St. Louis’ Jeremiah Tilmon is also in Hampton for the Inaugural Allen Iverson Roundball Classic. Tilmon will be playing alongside North Carolina’s Jalek Felon, Duke’s Gary Trent Jr., and Kentucky commits Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, P.J. Washington and Jared Vanderbilt.

You can actually catch Tilmon beginning at the 2:42 mark in this video recap of the event. There aren’t a lot of highlights for green team’s #21 in what was clearly a loose scrimmage.

247sports still has the 6’10 center as a lock to Missouri.

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Kevin Knox Update

Kevin Knox II’s commitment date remains no later than May 10th, the specific date will depend on when Knox can make a decision on national television with ESPN.

Kevin Knox’s father spoke with Alec Lewis of the Kansas City Star and had great things to say about Cuonzo Martin and the family’s recent visit to Missouri’s campus.

“I was actually impressed with the campus, man. We didn’t realize that the amenities that they had were like that,” Knox Sr. said. “The facilities are top notch, and it’s almost like a hidden gem in the Midwest, if you ask me. Columbia is away from St. Louis, so it’s more of a college town.

Hearing Missouri’s facilities described as top notch from someone who’s visited Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky is remarkable, and perhaps it changes the minds of those who think Mizzou will need to push for improved facilities if they want to compete in elite recruiting circles.

Knox Sr. also described some of what he heard from the coaches who visited this week. The gist involved selling Knox on his ability to be the featured player, turning him into a one-and-done future millionaire, something schools like Duke and Kentucky have substantial recent experience with.

Krzyzewski, Knox Sr. said, pitched “what he’s pitched the last two years” in that Knox can step in for Jayson Tatum, who declared for the NBA Draft on March 22. Williams, too, pushed a similar narrative in reference to Justin Jackson, who was crucial in the Tar Heels’ national championship run. Jackson declared for the NBA Draft on April 13.

247sports’ prediction tracker seems to outline a favorite here.

247sports prediction tracker for Kevin Knox

On a related tangent, former Mississippi State forward Garrison Brooks committed to North Carolina yesterday. That could explain why UNC appears to have fallen behind Duke, although the opportunity to play with Joel Barry II and Tony Bradley reportedly could still be a significant factor.

An interesting note is that the senior Knox was on the road this weekend—to Hampton, Va.

It just so happens Jontay’s dad is there, too.

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Finally, a few weeks ago I mentioned Mizzou point guard commit CJ Roberts as well as women’s basketball signees Kelsey Winfrey and Elle Brown will be playing in Kansas City at Winnetonka HS for the Grind House Basketball All American Games.

UPDATED: That game tonight was cancelled.