The nation's top player has plans to travel across the country, something he will get rather used to in the years to come, but it appears one of those trips does not include a red-eye flight from Chicago to New York City later this month.

Or does it?

After winning the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 3A state title with No. 1 Nathan Hale on Saturday, 2017 Flo40 No. 1 Michael Porter Jr. took to Instagram to bid farewell to his days as a high school player.

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Is it really the end, though?

Technically, the 6-foot-9 electric small forward still has the McDonald's All-American Game on March 29 and the Jordan Brand Classic on April 14 to play in before he is officially a college player, but that's beside the point and not what this is about. 

Far from it.

The top-ranked Raiders are eligible for DICK's Sporting Goods Nationals on March 30 to April 1 in New York. The legwork is done. The WIAA even waived a few rules to allow it to happen. Yet, there still is a chance Nathan Hale declines the bid.

It doesn't make a lot of sense to go through the trouble of getting an exception to play, but, at 29-0, what else is there to prove? The Raiders and first-year coach Brandon Roy already have an impressive resume, including top 10 wins over Sierra Canyon and Oak Hill, swept through the tough Metro League, and captured state glory following a dismal 3-18 campaign last season.

Plus, with the McDonald's All-American Game the night before the quarterfinals, Nathan Hale would potentially be without a fresh Porter to open tournament play. Then again, so would all of the other teams featuring players of such status.

Everything to lose. Even more to gain. It's all a risk.

Nothing is official at the moment. That decision should come this week. Porter's social media post certainly ramped up the speculation, however, leaving many on edge and creating even more buzz for what the eight-team tournament might look like, with or without the No. 1 team in the land.

THE OUTSIDERS

Let's just get this out of the way first: Not every school is eligible to compete. Not every state allows it, including and especially California. So, no Bishop Montgomery, Chino Hills, or Sierra Canyon -- three teams certainly worthy of a potential bid. Also, undefeated squads McEachern (GA) and Klein Forest (TX) both lost in state playoffs this weekend to probably eliminate their contention. Add in several other nationally ranked teams, and this list becomes rather extensive with those not in consideration this season.

THE LIKELY LOCKS

Even if any and every school in the country was eligible at this top-notch event, it would be hard to get a single bid over any of these squads. They are the elite. They have earned it, and probably the only thing in question on this list are seeds.

La Lumiere School (IN)
IMG Academy (FL)
Findlay Prep (NV)
Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Montverde Academy (FL)

THE MAYBES

Nathan Hale's decision is the big elephant in the room, but that's already been addressed. The Raiders just deserve their own category here, because whatever happens will completely shake up the seeds of the likely locks above and the hopefuls below.

THE HOPEFULS

With five locks and then Nathan Hale, there's really only two or three spots available. The list here should be pretty short and sweet, but that's not always the case. Without complicating things too much right now, the top eligible team would probably be undefeated Shadow Mountain (AZ) with former NBA player Mike Bibby at the helm. 

Another squad to look out for is Greensboro Day (NC). The Bengals, who played in this tournament two years ago, went 33-3 this season and took home another state title under legendary head coach Freddy Johnson. The body of work seems certainly worth considering.

More teams will likely come and go here as the state playoffs end around the country, so this is far from set.

THE DARK HORSE

Don't forget about Memphis East (TN). It has definitely earned the right to be considered. Are the Mustangs eligible? No, but neither was Nathan Hale. There are no guarantees that anything at all will happen here. It's just one of the most intriguing possibilities after what Penny Hardaway's loaded squad has accomplished so far this season.

THE FINAL BUZZER

There is still more basketball to be played before this gets sorted out. The various scenarios are just darts thrown against the wall at the moment. Plus, this is all up to a specific committee, out of most people's control.

There is no perfect science to this, but it's interesting to think about.

Was Saturday night really the last time Michael Porter Jr. played in a Nathan Hale uniform?