FILE - In this March 4, 2017, file photo, Nathan Hale forward Michael Porter Jr. dribbles downcourt against Garfield in the first half of the Washington state boys 3A high school basketball championship in Tacoma, Wash. The University of Washington released Porter from his national letter of intent. The university confirmed the decision on Thursday, March 23, 2017, one day after new Washington coach Mike Hopkins was formally introduced. Porter is widely regarded as the top high school senior in the country. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

5-Star Recruit Michael Porter Jr. Commits to Missouri After Leaving Washington

Alec NathanMar 24, 2017

Five-star swingman Michael Porter Jr. committed to the Missouri Tigers on Friday after he was granted his release by the Washington Huskies.

Porter Jr. made things official with a pair of posts on Twitter:

"
pic.twitter.com/vvCrOc2zVT
— Michael Porter Jr. (@TheMPJ1) March 24, 2017"

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"
pic.twitter.com/YGWlxeKzC1
— Michael Porter Jr. (@TheMPJ1) March 24, 2017"

Porter Jr. previously committed to Washington—where his dad was an assistant coach—but he sought his release from the Pac-12 program after head coach Lorenzo Romar was fired.

Porter Jr.'s father, Michael Porter Sr., proceeded to latch on with Cuonzo Martin's coaching staff at Missouri, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Dave Matter, which opened the door for the coveted 2017 recruit to land with the Tigers.

"I am very comfortable with the Mizzou program because I have been around it for so long," Porter Jr. told Rivals.com's Eric Bossi. "Coach Cuonzo is a great guy who I'm proud to call my coach, and can't wait to restore the atmosphere to Mizzou Arena alongside him, the coaching staff, and my new teammates."

Long considered one of the elite swingmen in the class of 2017, Porter Jr. graded out as the No. 1 small forward and No. 5 overall player in Scout.com's recruiting database.

His stats show why.

According to USA Today's Jason Jordan, Porter Jr. averaged 36.2 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists en route to a Washington state title and Gatorade Boys National Basketball Player of the Year honors.

Now headed to Missouri, Porter Jr. will attempt to vault the Tigers up the SEC standings and back into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013 as the program continues to undergo some major renovations.

Recruit information courtesy of Scout.com.