Top Ranked SF Michael Porter Jr. Tells Washington Huskies – Catch You Later Maybe?

Small Forward Micheal Porter Jr. follows Blake Harris, Asking to Pull His National Letter of Intent From University of Washington Huskies. But…

Once more, a prospective 2017 Men’s basketball player is seeking to pull his 2017 National Letter of Intent from the University of Washington Huskies.  Point guard Blake Harris pulled his letter on March 22, 2017. Now, Michael Porter Jr. has asked for his release as well.

By now, this should surprise nobody.  Last week, we covered the reports that the future of Michael Porter Jr. following his father to the University of Missouri may have forced the dismissal of head coach Lorenzo Romar. 

Package Deal

There was more than a coincidental cause and effect to the University of Washington hiring Michael Porter Sr. as an assistant coach, and the commitment of his two sons, Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter.  While Michael Porter Jr. had signed his 2017 National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Washington, Jontay Porter had only made a verbal commitment. On March 18, Jontay Porter reverse that commitment.

Is there more to the story? While Michael Porter Junior is earnest seeking to pull his NLI, he is wisely not burning bridges via social media.

But notice the caveat. Michael Porter Jr. has not taken the University of Washington Huskies off the list.

Destiny Awaits Michael Porter Jr.

There is an important perspective to take into consideration here. Michael Porter Jr. is a special young man, with a special devotion to his father. And who can challenge that? The Porter family is close, and their commitments to one another cannot be ignored. In the words of Michael Porter Jr., I see a little bit of myself in my youth.

What son would not want to be in those shoes?  But much like a fiance’ who follows their betrothed to a new place.  There is no way of predicting the future. The more we try to wrest control of our lives, the more the current seems to work against our efforts. Following someone you love to a new destination sometimes only results in regrets.

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Regrets happen later in life when we act impulsively, or fail to act as we know we should, when younger.  Perhaps that is why he has left the bridge back to the University of Washington? Perhaps the University of Washington Huskies matter in this equation?

Will Coach Hopkins Meet With Michael Porter Jr?

Will Michael Porter Jr. meet with head coach Mike Hopkins at some point? I think it can, and should happen, very soon.  I believe Hopkins had his first priority in assembling his coaching staff. Now that has been accomplished, he will turn his attention to players.
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Michael Porter Jr., although seeking to pull his NLI, is still very open to meeting with Coach Hopkins. He is still open to the idea.

It’s time for player and coach to meet.  In fact, that meeting should occur this week.  Now that the NLI waiver has been requested, there will be plenty of sales pitches to the Porter household.

Silver Lining Playbook

And Chris Egan shared this as well. Read this article, and see it through the eyes of a young man about to enter college while the nation watches your ever step.  At my first response to the news, it appeared that Michael Porter Jr. was as good as gone. But read the article. You may find, as I had, a very mature young man who simply doesn’t have enough information to proceed.

On one hand, perhaps Michael Porter Jr. has that special level of maturity that allows to hear all sides before forming a decision.  On the other hand, perhaps Michael Porter Jr. has some residual loyalty to the University of Washington Huskies?  But in either case, you can be certain that the path he walks is as difficult as our worst imaginations.

In the end, Coach Hopkins must want Michael Porter Jr. on the team. Conversely, Michael Porter Jr. must want to be on the team himself.

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The best we can do is support all sides. The worst we can do is judge.  Let’s give them our best and hope.  Perhaps there is a Silver Lining to this playbook as well.