Michael Porter Jr. Medically Cleared for Basketball Activities After Back Injury

Missouri Tigers freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. has reportedly been cleared for all basketball activities after he underwent back surgery in November, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein. 

At the time of the operation—a microdiscectomy of the L3-L4 spinal discs—Missouri announced Porter Jr. would likely miss the remainder of the season with an estimated recovery timetable of 3-4 months. 

Michael's brother, Jontay, reacted to Thursday's news on Twitter: 

Porter Jr. was the No. 2 prospect in the class of 2017 behind Duke forward Marvin Bagley III, per 247Sports. 

Along with Jontay, who was a 5-star recruit himself, Michael was expected to help transform the Tigers into an SEC title contender. 

However, the back injury—which occurred during Porter Jr.'s regular-season debut—shifted the program's outlook significantly. 

Following Tuesday's overtime loss to Ole Miss, the Tigers are 18-10 overall and tied for third with an 8-7 mark in conference play. Auburn leads the SEC at 12-3, while Tennessee stands alone in second at 10-5. 

Missouri has yet to announce when, or if, Porter Jr. will return to the floor this season as the Tigers eye their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2013.

But even if he doesn't, Porter Jr. sounds confident he'll be good as ever when he bolts for the pros. 

"I know when I'm healthy people will see what I’m capable of and it will all take care of itself," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Dave Matter. "It's something I don't stress about it. Even if I get drafted fifth or sixth, it's what I do in the NBA that determines my legacy. I'm still going to become the best player I'm going to become."