Missouri forward Jontay Porter has declared for the 2019 NBA draft.
The 6-11 sophomore, who was projected as a first round pick in last year’s draft but chose to return to school, missed the entire 2018-19 season after suffering both a torn ACL and MCL in the preseason.
He tore his ACL again in March and had to undergo another surgery, which left many wondering if he would still choose to enter the draft process.
https://twitter.com/MizzouHoops/status/1119386460489179136
Porter averaged 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during the 2017-18 season.
He is currently projected to go No. 45 overall to the Detroit Pistons, according to NBADraft.net.
New NCAA rules allow players to return to college should they go undrafted, even if they choose to sign with an agent.
Jeremiah Tilmon is the only other Missouri player to declare for the draft at this point, while the program will lose key contributors Jordan Geist and Kevin Puryear to graduation.
The Tigers will hope to get back on track after going 15-17 this season, but it won’t be an easy task considering the SEC has become one of the most competitive conferences in the country.
For more SEC basketball coverage, follow me on Twitter @theblakelovell.