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Mizzou Basketball decided to host a media availability on Monday despite the start of SEC Football Media Days in Alabama. There was at least one particularly noteworthy tidbit from Tiger head coach Cuonzo Martin.
[W]hen asked if he expected to fill his remaining scholarship for the 2017-18 season, Martin said, "Yes, I think so," and he smiled.
There is, of course, only one real option for filling that scholarship: Jontay Porter.
It’s long been established that Porter, a five-star prospect for the 2018 class, will make his decision on whether or not to reclassify after the Peach Jam in Georgia. Well, it begins on Wednesday and ends Sunday.
Right on cue Monday evening: CRYPTIC JONTAY TWEETS ARE BACK.
— Jontay Porter (@JontayPorter) July 11, 2017
Welcome back to social media, Jontay.
Michael Porter Jr., meanwhile, was out of town during the availability. He kinda had to go attend the ESPYs.
Missouri freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. wasn’t present Monday for interviews in Columbia during the team’s media availability because he’s in Los Angeles for an appearance Wednesday at the ESPY Awards.
Porter, who was chosen the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, is a finalist for the 2016-17 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year.
Previous winners of the award include LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Matt Barkley, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, who will present this year’s award.
A few other tidbits from the media session:
- Sophomore big man Reed Nikko appears to be 100 percent after dealing with a high ankle sprain during his freshman season (plus that whole “hip surgery in the preseason” thing). Mitchell Smith, meanwhile, has yet to be cleared for scrimmage work following his in-season knee injury.
- Canisius transfer Kassius Robertson is pulling a Kim English and sleeping in Mizzou Arena, per Kevin Puryear. He’s also putting up 3,000 shots per week.
- C.J. Roberts and Blake Harris are ready to do whatever it takes to be a part of the rotation.
Rock M’s Tramel Raggs was on the scene and shared some video.
C.J. Roberts:
Missouri freshman CJ Roberts (@CJRoberts_0) spoke with the media about his transition from high school to college basketball (1/2) pic.twitter.com/86iRPwcZCk
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
Missouri freshman CJ Roberts (@CJRoberts_0) spoke with the media about his transition from high school to college basketball (2/2) pic.twitter.com/lPu3MyerMA
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
Blake Harris:
Missouri freshman Blake Harris (@blizzyblake55_) on why he waited 2 years to get wrist surgery and his choice to follow MPJ to Missouri pic.twitter.com/anwbIUkzVg
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
Robertson:
Graduate Transfer Kassius Robertson speaks with the media about what he brings to the Missouri men's basketball program (1/2) pic.twitter.com/9zYcNK7QKS
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
Graduate Transfer Kassius Robertson speaks with the media about what he brings to the Missouri men's basketball program (2/2) pic.twitter.com/dCxkgfKDrT
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
Puryear:
Mizzou Forward Kevin Puryear (@CallMe_KP24) discusses his improved ball handling and the teams' new, tougher mindset. pic.twitter.com/TqTsZ2Benw
— Tramel Raggs (@Raggs_No_Riches) July 10, 2017
In other hoops news, four-star St. Louis Whitfield prospect Torrence Watson, a big Mizzou target for the 2018 class, is going to Ohio State.
#BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/lRCDTPfd9z
— Torrence Watson (@TorrenceWatson) July 11, 2017
The way 2018 kids are flying off the shelves so early means #Mizzou needs to kick things into high gear soon.
— Sam Snelling (@SamTSnelling) July 11, 2017