Mike Hopkins isn’t about to give up on Michael Porter Jr. without a fight.
Hopkins was introduced on Wednesday as Washington’s new head basketball coach. One of his biggest tasks will be trying to convince top recruit Michael Porter Jr. to remain with the school.
Porter Jr. was looking forward to joining the Huskies next season and playing for Lorenzo Romar, who is his godfather. But Romar was fired last week, leaving Porter disappointed.
On top of that, there’s another layer to the situation.
Porter Jr.’s father, Michael Sr., was on Romar’s staff and has been offered a position by Cuonzo Martin at Missouri. Porter Sr. used to coach the women’s team at Missouri and his sons played high school ball in Columbia.
Still, Hopkins is set to meet with Porter Jr. to try convincing him to play at Washington.
Hopkins has spoken to Porter Sr. MPJ will speak with him in person tonight or tomorrow, per source https://t.co/dnwi4Mhc4D
— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) March 22, 2017
Was just told that Hopkins hasn't called Porter yet because MPJ wants an in person conversation, not a phone call. FWIW
— Dave Softy Mahler (@Softykjr) March 22, 2017
Porter Jr. was honored Wednesday as the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He said that he will be requesting his release. Porter Jr. says he’s considering Oklahoma, Virginia, Missouri and Washington.
“I love Seattle and from what I hear Mike Hopkins is that dude so I’m gonna talk to him and see what he’s saying,” Hopkins said Wednesday via USA Today.
Porter Jr. also had this to say about Missouri.
“That’s home for me and they reached out to my dad with a job offer so if he accepts that, not saying I’ll definitely go there, but it’d be big.”
Not only is the recruitment of Porter Jr. huge because he’s such a top player, but also because his younger brother Jontay would likely follow him too.
