:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63288207/usa_today_10707603.0.jpg)
Alex Schiffer’s tweet put a little damper in the second round of the NCAA tournament. As Ja Morant and Florida State were battling he posted this news:
BREAKING: Multiple sources tell me Missouri forward Jontay Porter retore his ACL while out in Denver this week. Missouri confirms the injury: https://t.co/xEG2rWE4ON
— Alex Schiffer (@TheSchiffMan) March 23, 2019
The details are few right now, but what we know is Porter injured his knee in a secret scrimmage before the season, and had surgery which sidelined him for the season. Porter has been mostly M.I.A. this season at Mizzou as he’s been rehabbing his knee in Denver while spending time with his brother who was drafted by the Denver Nuggets last season.
Porter was largely projected to be a top 20 pick in the NBA draft despite his injury due in part to a soft draft class for big men, and wasn’t expected to come close to falling out of the first round.
What this news does to the chances of Porter returning to school is unknown right now. However Mizzou has confirmed the report:
Mizzou confirms Jontay Porter has re-injured the knee he’s been rehabbing in Denver. @TheSchiffMan had the report earlier tonight. Porter initially tore ACL/MCL in right knee in October.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) March 23, 2019
Personally, this sucks for Jontay. I was looking forward to watching him play this past season but I have to admit that if anything screams GO.GET.PAID. it’s Jontay’s story. If he were healthy going into this draft there’s a good chance he’s a lottery pick, but entering the draft last year means he’s probably on a 2-way deal with an NBA franchise and being paid a few million dollars.
So I understand his gamble and reasoning for returning to school, it just didn’t pay off. God speed to the young man.