Mizzou basketball’s Michael Porter Sr.’s contract not renewed. But he could stick around
Missouri Tigers basketball director of player development Michael Porter Sr. will not have his contract renewed, a team spokesperson confirmed to The Star on Friday.
Porter’s three-year contract expired Thursday, where he made $375,000 annually. However, there are still discussions about finding Porter a role with the program or elsewhere in the athletic department.
After spending his first two years at Mizzou as an assistant coach under Cuonzo Martin, Porter became director of player development prior to the 2019-20 season. Mario Harris, formerly the director of player development, took over as Martin’s third full-time assistant. Porter was still around the program, traveling to games and appearing on the sidelines.
“It just felt like what was needed as far as our staff,” Martin said about the change on Oct. 24. “We won’t skip a beat. It doesn’t change anything we do.”
Porter joined Martin’s staff prior to the 2017 season, as his two sons, No. 1 overall recruit Michael Porter Jr. and Jontay Porter, joined the roster.
Michael played one season with the Tigers, though it was hampered heavily by injuries: He played two total minutes in the regular season. Still, Michael was drafted No. 14 overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA Draft. Michael finally saw the court this season before the coronavirus pandemic suspended the season. He played in 48 games, averaging 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game with the Nuggets.
Jontay played a full season as a freshman in 2017-18, reclassifying to join Michael at the same time. He averaged 9.9 points per game in 33 contests that season and was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year. Ahead of his sophomore season in 2018-19, Jontay tore his ACL in a preseason scrimmage. While rehabbing, he again tore it in March 2019. Despite that, he declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, going undrafted. Jontay went on to sign with the Memphis Grizzlies.