Reports: Missouri F Porter re-tears ACL
Missouri Tigers sophomore and NBA draft prospect Jontay Porter re-tore his right ACL while rehabbing the original injury in Denver, the Kansas City Star reported Saturday.
ESPN reported confirmation of the injury from the school.
The 6-foot-11 power forward missed the 2018-19 season after tearing the ACL and MCL ligaments in a preseason scrimmage in October.
The new injury occurred while he was on the court working out, sources told the Star, although it was unclear if he had been cleared for activity.
Porter averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds as a 2017-18 freshman. He was named the co-Sixth Man of the Year in the Southeastern Conference after helping the Tigers reach their first NCAA Tournament in five years.
Without Porter, Missouri finished 15-17 overall and 12th in the SEC this season.
Porter had been projected as a mid-to-late first-round selection in this June's draft, but the repetitive nature of the injury raises concerns.
"I think this latest injury creates a major red flag around his re-torn ACL as far as the health of the knee going forward and his medical status in general," one NBA scout told the newspaper.
An NBA team that doesn't require immediate help could still take a chance on Porter and allow him time to work his way back to full health.
That's the same situation facing his older brother, Michael Porter Jr., who missed all but three games at Missouri in 2017-18 due to back problems that required surgery. He was selected with the 14th pick by the Denver Nuggets, who are not expected to play him at all this season.
--Field Level Media
