It’s official: Michael Porter Jr. will return to play for Missouri in the SEC tournament, Cuonzo Martin confirmed to reporters today.
“He’s prepared to play,” Martin said. “He said ‘Coach, I want to help the team.’”
“For me it was always Mike’s decision to play or not play.”
Porter was a projected top three pick prior to the start of the season, but he had surgery on his back after playing just two minutes in Missouri’s season-opening win over Iowa State.
Porter is not expected to start tomorrow, when the Tigers take on the winner of tonight’s game between Georgia and Vanderbilt. Missouri is a lock for the NCAA tournament, and the addition of Porter will make them a trendy pick to make a run.
Martin, to his credit, does not appear to be worried about integrating a player of Porter’s talent and importance at this late of a date. “
No problem at all,” he said, “because he’s a part of the team. Whatever happens I’m OK with it.”