2018 NBA Mock Draft: A way-too-early look ahead

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American West forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) poses with the trophy after winning the John Wooden Award as the most valuable player for the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Porter will look to return the Missouri Tigers to Final Four glory during the 2017-18 college basketball season. Once he’s done with that pursuit, he’ll likely be a favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Porter has garnered comparisons to a number of NBA players, including Paul George and Kevin Durant, and he has a realistic chance to justify the hype.

Standing at 6’10” with a 7’0″ wingspan and fluid athleticism, Porter is a mismatch nightmare based on his size alone. Already weighing in at 216 pounds, the 19-year-old could potentially play as a stretch 4 at the next level if he continues to bulk up.

If he maintain his status as a full-time small forward, then even the best of defenders will have a hard time containing his size, length, and skill.

Heralded for his work ethic and constantly evolving offensive skill set, Porter projects to be a frontrunner for National Player of the Year. He seems to elevate his game against top competition, which is what every great player needs to be able to do.

Porter isn’t going to overwhelm elite NBA defenders with his pure athleticism, but at this stage of his career, he understands the game as well as any scorer in the country.