The math is simple. Michael Porter Jr. is absolutely dominating this level and is No. 1 across the board. There are no signs of it changing, either.
What the high school hoops world knows is this: Porter Jr. is the No. 1 player in the country, on the No. 1 team in the country, while also wearing the No. 1.
Easy, right? Just watch the video.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRI-gipDbwQ/" hide_caption="0"]
Well, to remain that way, the 6-foot-9 small forward will have to help Nathan Hale (WA) pull of an impressive feat, certainly something it is not exactly accustomed to doing.
After going 3-18 last season, and not reaching the state tournament in over two decades, the now undefeated 26-0 Raiders begin their state title quest at the Washington 3A Hardwood Classic in Tacoma. Starting Thursday, they are three victories away from glory and a spot at Dick's Nationals later this month, which is possible thanks to an appeal won with the WIAA.
Sure, there is always a chance Nathan Hale could deny the invite after a state title or, at worse, lose, but given this is possibly a once-in-a-generation run with former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy at the helm for his first season, the thought of playing for a national title would be way too tempting.
So, the scenario remains for Porter Jr.: Win it all and the McDonald's All-American and Naismith Trophy Player of the Year finalist will join some prestigious company.
Among those who have accomplished the feat of being the No. 1 player on the No. 1 team are LeBron James, Avery Bradley, Ben Simmons, and Greg Oden. Ironically, three of those players were also a No. 1 NBA Draft pick, but that's for another time.
Porter Jr. will not get knocked off of the No. 1 spot in 2017, nor will he change his jersey number this late in the season. The statistics and the way he fills up the box score are irrelevant. What's left is for him to win, like he has done in each and every game he has played for the Raiders.
What the high school hoops world knows is this: Porter Jr. is the No. 1 player in the country, on the No. 1 team in the country, while also wearing the No. 1.
Easy, right? Just watch the video.
[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRI-gipDbwQ/" hide_caption="0"]
Well, to remain that way, the 6-foot-9 small forward will have to help Nathan Hale (WA) pull of an impressive feat, certainly something it is not exactly accustomed to doing.
After going 3-18 last season, and not reaching the state tournament in over two decades, the now undefeated 26-0 Raiders begin their state title quest at the Washington 3A Hardwood Classic in Tacoma. Starting Thursday, they are three victories away from glory and a spot at Dick's Nationals later this month, which is possible thanks to an appeal won with the WIAA.
Sure, there is always a chance Nathan Hale could deny the invite after a state title or, at worse, lose, but given this is possibly a once-in-a-generation run with former NBA All-Star Brandon Roy at the helm for his first season, the thought of playing for a national title would be way too tempting.
So, the scenario remains for Porter Jr.: Win it all and the McDonald's All-American and Naismith Trophy Player of the Year finalist will join some prestigious company.
Among those who have accomplished the feat of being the No. 1 player on the No. 1 team are LeBron James, Avery Bradley, Ben Simmons, and Greg Oden. Ironically, three of those players were also a No. 1 NBA Draft pick, but that's for another time.
Porter Jr. will not get knocked off of the No. 1 spot in 2017, nor will he change his jersey number this late in the season. The statistics and the way he fills up the box score are irrelevant. What's left is for him to win, like he has done in each and every game he has played for the Raiders.