Soaring Down South
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2018 NBA Draft: 4 Players on the Hawks Radar Who Returned to College

By Chris Guest

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - DECEMBER 30: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to make a shot during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on December 30, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 95-93. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - DECEMBER 30: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers looks to make a shot during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on December 30, 2017 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 95-93. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 08: Jontay Porter (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 08: Jontay Porter (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Michael Porter Jr.‘s younger brother Jontay Porter reclassified his senior year of high school in order to join his brother at Missouri, but, of course, MPJ suffered a back injury and was out for almost the entire season.

In his absence, the younger Porter made a name for himself as a multi-talented big man for the team and had gotten himself into the late lottery conversation.

However, he was invited the NBA Draft Combine and showed up out-of-shape with the highest body fat ratio of any player invited – a definite concern for NBA executives. Because of this misstep, Jontay decided to return to school for his sophomore season in order to get in shape and hone his still-raw skill set even further.

This seems like the right decision, as Porter was one of this year’s youngest prospects, and he will still be under 20 years old next season when he tests the waters again. Also, next year’s draft class in purportedly not as deep as this year’s, so he will have a chance to be selected even higher than he was slated to go this year.

Porter’s skill set is interesting and very modern, as he has shown a solid shooting stroke, the ability to handle and pass the ball, good defensive instincts and a strong rebounding slant for a slightly undersized big man.

The Hawks will likely select in the lottery next year as well, as the team is hunkered down and ready to continue this rebuild for as long as it takes to be competitive. In that case, the Hawks might be able to select an in-shape and more skilled Jontay Porter in next year’s draft.