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Michael Porter Jr.
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Michael Porter Jr.
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Michael Lamar Porter Jr. (born June 29, 1998), also known as "MPJ", is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers. Porter was ranked as one of the top prospects in the class of 2017.[1][2][3] He was selected 14th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA draft, winning his only NBA championship with them in 2023.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Porter attended Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, Missouri, before transferring to Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Washington, for his senior year. His father, Michael Porter Sr., was hired by the University of Washington to be an assistant coach; former NBA player Brandon Roy was the coach of Nathan Hale's basketball team.[4][5]

In Porter's junior season at Father Tolton, he led the team to the 3A State Championship.[6] In the 2016 summer, Porter joined Mokan Elite on the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) averaging 26.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game leading them to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship and was named Co-MVP alongside teammate and future NBA player Trae Young.[7]

In his senior season, Porter averaged 36.2 points and 13.6 rebounds as he helped his high school team earn a perfect 29–0 record and win the Washington Class 3A State Championship.[8] He recorded 52 points and 23 rebounds in a blowout victory over Seattle Prep on senior night.[9] Porter was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked as one of the top overall recruits in his class by Rivals.com and ESPN.[3][2]

On March 29, 2017, Porter was named MVP at the McDonald's All-American Game leading the West in a 109–107 win over the East team.[10] Porter also participated in the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit, leading Team USA to a 98–87 victory over the World Select Team with 19 points in 23 minutes of play.[11]

College recruiting information
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Michael Porter Jr.
SF 		Columbia, MO Nathan Hale High School (WA) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Mar 24, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 5/5 stars   Rivals: 5/5 stars   247Sports: 5/5 stars   ESPN: 5/5 stars   (97)
Overall recruit ranking:   Scout: 2    Rivals: 1    ESPN: 2
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

College career

[edit]
Porter at the 2017 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

In July 2016, Porter originally committed to Washington.[12] After Lorenzo Romar was fired as Washington's head coach, Porter Sr. was hired as an assistant coach for the University of Missouri. Porter Jr. later decommitted from Washington.[13]

On March 24, 2017, Porter committed to play for Missouri, joining his father and his younger brother, Jontay Porter (who reclassified from the class of 2018).[14]

Porter was injured in the first half of the season opener against Iowa State. Porter was expected to miss the remainder of the 2017–18 season because of a lower back injury which required surgery.[15] On November 22, 2017, Porter had a successful microdiscectomy of his L3-L4 spinal discs.[16] On February 22, 2018, Porter Jr. was cleared to practice with Missouri again, with the potential to return to play before the end of the season. NBA executives were encouraging him to play if he was feeling healthy enough to do so.[17]

Porter would officially return to action on March 8, 2018, in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament.[18] Porter would also play in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, where the team lost to Florida State. In both games, however, Porter came off the bench to play instead of starting as he had on opening night, mainly as a precaution. On March 27, Porter announced his intention to forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and declared for the 2018 NBA draft.[19]

Professional career

[edit]

Denver Nuggets (2018–2025)

[edit]

Porter was selected with the 14th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 2018 NBA draft.[20] He fell from a possible first overall pick to the 14th pick with the Nuggets due to reports regarding his health.[21] The Nuggets also discussed the possibility of having him sit out for his entire first season in the NBA in relation to his back problems.[22] On July 3, 2018, Porter signed a multi-year contract with the Nuggets.[23] On July 19, 2018, the Nuggets announced that Porter had undergone a second back surgery[24] and subsequently missed the entire season.

On October 31, 2019, Porter made his debut in the NBA, coming off the bench with fifteen points, four rebounds, and an assist in a 107–122 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[25] On December 29, he made his first career start in the NBA, finishing with 19 points, along with six rebounds and an assist in 26 minutes in a 120–115 win over the Sacramento Kings.[26] He set a new career high with 25 points in 23 minutes just four days later in a win against the Indiana Pacers.[27] On August 4, 2020, returning from the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter Jr. led the Nuggets to their first victory in the Orlando bubble, scoring a then career-high 37 points in route to a 121–113 overtime win over Oklahoma City Thunder.[28]

On April 24, 2021, Porter scored a career-high 39 points in a 129–116 win over the Houston Rockets.[29]

On September 27, 2021, Porter and the Denver Nuggets agreed to a 5-year, $172 million rookie extension that will become $207 million if Porter is selected to an All-NBA Team.[30] He was expected to be the secondary scoring option behind Nikola Jokić while Jamal Murray continued to recover from a torn ACL.[31] On November 29, 2021, having appeared in only 9 games, Porter's agent Mark Bartelstein announced Porter would miss the remainder of the 2021–22 NBA season as he would be undergoing a third back surgery.[32]

In Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals, Porter put up 16 points and 13 rebounds in a 94–89 win over the Miami Heat to help the Nuggets win their first NBA championship in franchise history.[33]

On March 21, 2024, Porter put up 31 points along with his 193rd made three-pointer of the season, surpassing the previous record of 192 set by Dale Ellis for the most made three-pointers in a season in Nuggets franchise history.[34]

On November 10, 2024, Porter scored 17 points and hit the game-winning jumper in a 122–120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.[35]

On February 3, 2025, Porter had 36 points in a 125–113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[36] On February 5, Porter put up a career-high-tying 39 points, alongside 12 rebounds, in a 144–119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[37] The next day, Porter scored 30 points in 112–90 win over the Orlando Magic. He became the first player in Nuggets history to record three straight games of 30+ points and 5+ three-pointers.[38]

Brooklyn Nets (2025–present)

[edit]

On July 8, 2025, Porter and a 2032 first-round draft pick were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Cameron Johnson.[39]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019–20 Denver 55 8 16.4 .509 .422 .833 4.7 .8 .5 .5 9.3
2020–21 Denver 61 54 31.3 .542 .445 .791 7.3 1.1 .7 .9 19.0
2021–22 Denver 9 9 29.5 .359 .208 .556 6.6 1.9 1.1 .2 9.9
2022–23† Denver 62 62 29.0 .487 .414 .800 5.5 1.0 .6 .5 17.4
2023–24 Denver 81 81 31.7 .484 .397 .836 7.0 1.5 .5 .7 16.7
2024–25 Denver 77 77 33.7 .504 .395 .768 7.0 2.1 .6 .5 18.2
Career 345 291 29.1 .500 .406 .795 6.4 1.4 .6 .6 16.2

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020 Denver 19 3 23.7 .476 .382 .743 6.7 .8 .7 .3 11.4
2021 Denver 10 10 33.2 .474 .397 .810 6.2 1.3 1.1 .3 17.4
2023† Denver 20 20 32.6 .423 .351 .793 8.1 1.6 .5 .6 13.4
2024 Denver 12 12 36.9 .466 .407 .769 6.8 1.1 .9 .8 15.8
2025 Denver 14 14 31.1 .392 .343 .714 5.5 .6 .6 .4 9.1
Career 75 59 30.9 .446 .374 .768 6.8 1.1 .7 .5 13.0

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Missouri 3 1 17.7 .333 .300 .778 6.7 .3 1.0 .3 10.0

Personal life

[edit]

Porter is a Christian.[40] He grew up as a vegetarian. In 2018, he changed his diet to raw vegan.[41] As of 2020, Porter is no longer vegetarian or vegan.[42]

In addition to younger brother Jontay, he has two older sisters named Bri and Cierra, along with four younger siblings.[43] In April 2024, his younger brother Coban was sentenced to six years in prison for killing a woman while driving under the influence of alcohol.[44] Also in April 2024, another younger brother of Porter, Jevon, was arrested in Missouri on suspicion of DWI.[45] All three of Porter's brothers also played basketball on at least a collegiate level as well, with Jontay playing with Michael in Missouri during his freshman season, Coban previously playing in the University of Denver,[46] and Jevon currently playing for Loyola Marymount University after previously playing for Pepperdine University.[47]

In 2017, Porter dated actress and model Madison Pettis.[48]

On September 10, 2023, while visiting Taiwan, Porter threw out the first pitch at a CTBC Brothers game.[49]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Michael Porter Jr.

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Porter Jr. is an American professional player who plays as a for the of the (NBA). Born on June 29, 1998, in , he was selected by the with the 14th overall pick in the after a standout high school career and a brief college stint at the . Porter overcame significant back injuries early in his professional career to become a key contributor for the Nuggets, including winning an NBA championship in 2023, before being traded to the Nets along with an unprotected 2032 first-round pick in exchange for in July 2025. Raised in a basketball-oriented family—his father, Michael Porter Sr., is a former college coach and his older brother is also an NBA player—Porter developed his skills from a young age in before the family relocated to Seattle, Washington, during his high school years. At High School, he led the team to Washington 3A state championships in 2016 and 2017, earning national recognition as a five-star recruit and All-American. His high school performance showcased elite scoring and athleticism, averaging over 36 points per game in his senior year. Porter committed to the , where his father served as an assistant coach, but his freshman season was limited to just three games due to a hip injury requiring surgery. In those appearances, he averaged 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, demonstrating his potential as a versatile forward before declaring for the . Despite the injury concerns, his pre-draft workouts and high school tape convinced scouts of his upside as a scorer and rebounder. Entering the NBA with the Nuggets, Porter missed his entire rookie season (2018–19) recovering from spinal surgery to address chronic back issues. He made his debut in the 2019–20 season, quickly establishing himself as an efficient three-point shooter and secondary scorer alongside Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, with career averages of 16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 355 regular-season games (as of November 2025). His breakout came in the 2020–21 season, where he averaged 19.0 points per game, and he played a pivotal role in the Nuggets' 2023 NBA Finals run, averaging 13.0 points in the playoffs despite a calf injury. In the 2023–24 season, he appeared in a career-high 81 games, starting all of them and posting 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 48.4% from the field. The trade to Brooklyn marked a new chapter, positioning him as a primary option on a rebuilding Nets roster amid the team's early struggles in the 2025–26 season.

Early years

Family background

Michael Porter Jr. was born on June 29, 1998, in , . His family relocated to , around 2010 when his father joined the University of Missouri's staff as director of operations. This move rooted the family in a basketball-centric environment, aligning with their deep ties to the . Porter Jr.'s parents both have extensive basketball backgrounds that profoundly influenced his upbringing. His father, Michael Porter Sr., played at the , graduating in 1989, and later coached professionally with Athletes in Action while serving as a high school coach. His mother, Lisa Porter, was a standout player at the , where she was a two-time team captain and two-time All-Big Ten selection after averaging 58.7 points per game in high school at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Lisa also coached high school and played professionally overseas. He is one of eight siblings in a highly athletic family, with five brothers and three sisters all involved in . His siblings include brothers (a former NBA player), Coban Porter, Jevon Porter, and Izaak Porter, and sisters Bri Porter, Cierra Porter, and Jayda Porter. The Porter household emphasized sports development, with the children initially homeschooled by their mother to allow flexible training schedules. Porter Jr. began basketball training at age 3 under his father's guidance, who focused on building character alongside skills without excessive pressure. This early, family-driven approach fostered a competitive yet supportive atmosphere, where sports were a central bonding activity for the siblings.

High school career

Michael Porter Jr. was homeschooled for much of his early education, allowing intensive focus on development under his parents' guidance, before enrolling at Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in , for his through junior years. As a junior in the 2015–16 season at Tolton, Porter averaged 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, guiding the team to a 26–3 record and the Missouri Class 3 state championship, the school's first boys' title. In May 2016, following his father Michael Porter Sr.'s appointment as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team, the family relocated to , prompting Porter to transfer to High School for his senior season. During the 2016–17 season at under coach , Porter delivered dominant performances, averaging 36.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.2 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game while leading the Raiders to an undefeated 29–0 record and the Washington Class 3A state championship. His scoring prowess and versatility earned him statewide accolades, including Washington Mr. Basketball and Washington Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Nationally, Porter's senior campaign solidified his status as a premier prospect; he was selected as the 2017 National Boys Player of the Year and participated in the , where he scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to earn MVP honors for the West team in a 109–107 victory. ranked him the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2017.

College career

Commitment to Missouri

Michael Porter Jr. entered the 2017 recruiting class as one of the nation's top prospects, earning a five-star rating and ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit by while sitting at No. 2 according to . His recruitment drew interest from several major programs, including , , and Washington, with the latter gaining an early edge when his father, Michael Porter Sr., joined the Huskies' staff as an assistant coach in May 2016, leading to Porter Jr.'s initial verbal commitment to Washington in July 2016. Family ties to , where Porter Sr. had previously served as an assistant for the team starting in 2014, played a significant role in shifting the family's focus back to the Tigers. On March 23, 2017, Porter Sr. was hired as an assistant coach for 's men's team under head coach . The next day, on March 24, 2017, Porter Jr. decommitted from Washington and verbally committed to , citing the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother Jontay, a highly touted 2018 recruit who followed with his own commitment to the Tigers in May 2017. He officially signed a financial agreement with on April 12, 2017, the first day of the early signing period. Porter Jr.'s arrival generated substantial preseason excitement for , with analysts positioning him as a frontrunner for National Freshman of the Year and even National Player of the Year honors, while his presence elevated the Tigers' expectations in the , where they were projected to finish fifth in preseason polls. named him to its Preseason All-America First Team, underscoring his anticipated impact on a roster rebuilding under Martin.

2017–18 season

Michael Porter Jr.'s freshman season at the was drastically curtailed by a back injury that required surgery early in the year. He appeared in the season opener against Iowa State on , 2017, playing just two minutes before exiting due to lower stemming from a herniated disc. On November 21, 2017, Porter underwent microdiscectomy surgery on his L3 and L4 spinal discs in Dallas, Texas, with a projected recovery of three to four months that sidelined him for the majority of the season. Despite the setback, Porter returned in 2018 for Missouri's final two games, providing a brief but notable scoring presence on offense. In the Tournament semifinal against Georgia on March 8, he recorded 12 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes. He followed with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes during the Tigers' NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Florida State on March 16. Over his three total games, Porter averaged 10.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field. Under first-year head coach , finished the season with a 20–13 overall record and 10–8 mark in SEC play, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 —marking the program's first appearance since 2012. Porter's limited contributions highlighted his potential as a versatile scorer and rebounder, though the injury hampered the team's preseason expectations around the highly touted recruit, whose family ties included his father serving as an assistant coach at prior to the season. Following the Tigers' postseason exit, Porter announced on March 26, 2018, that he would declare for the and sign with an agent, forgoing his remaining college eligibility despite the abbreviated season.

Professional career

2018 NBA draft

Michael Porter Jr. entered the as a highly touted prospect, initially projected as a top-five selection due to his scoring ability, size, and versatility as a 6-foot-10 forward out of the . However, a back injury sustained during his freshman college season, which limited him to just three games and required , significantly lowered his draft stock, causing him to slide into the late . The selected Porter 14th overall in the first round of the held on June 21, 2018, at in , New York. On draft night, teams conducted medical evaluations that revealed ongoing concerns about his lower back condition, including the possibility of additional procedures. Following the draft, Porter underwent a second back on July 19, 2018, to address lingering issues from his initial procedure. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the Nuggets on July 3, 2018, a four-year deal worth approximately $15.1 million, with the first-year salary set at $2.4 million. The Nuggets planned a cautious approach to his integration, prioritizing full recovery over an immediate role on the roster, as his agent indicated optimism for a return but emphasized no rush in the timeline.

Denver Nuggets (2018–2025)

Selected 14th overall in the by the , Michael Porter Jr. missed his entire rookie season after undergoing a second back on July 19, 2018, to address lingering issues from his college injury. He made his NBA debut on October 31, 2019, and appeared in 55 games during the 2019–20 regular season, primarily off the bench, averaging 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range. Porter Jr. emerged as a key contributor in the 2020 playoffs, helping the Nuggets stage comebacks from 3–1 deficits against the and in the Western Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, respectively. In 19 playoff games, he averaged 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds, including standout performances like 21 points and 10 rebounds in Game 7 against the Clippers. His role expanded in the 2020–21 season, where he started 43 of 61 games and averaged 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds, establishing himself as a versatile forward with elite shooting efficiency (54.2% , 44.5% three-point). He played in all 10 playoff games that year, averaging 17.4 points and 6.2 rebounds. The 2021–22 season was derailed by a third back in 2021 to alleviate lumbar spine pressure, restricting Porter Jr. to only 9 games with averages of 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds. He returned strongly in 2022–23, playing 62 regular-season games and averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 48.0% from the field and 42.1% from three. In the , Porter Jr. elevated his game, averaging 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds over 20 games, including crucial rebounding in the against the , where he posted 8.4 rebounds per game despite shooting struggles (39.6% field goal). His defensive presence and spacing were instrumental in Denver's 4–1 series victory and first NBA championship. From 2023–24 onward, Porter Jr. solidified his status as a consistent starter, appearing in 81 games during the 2023–24 season with 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on 48.4% and 40.1% three-point shooting. In 2024–25, he played 77 games, boosting his scoring to 18.2 points and maintaining 7.0 rebounds while improving his efficiency inside the paint. Recurring minor injuries, including a left ankle early in 2023–24 and a Grade 2 AC joint in his left during the 2025 , tested his durability, but he demonstrated playoff reliability by playing through the shoulder issue and contributing effectively in postseason matchups. Amid growing trade rumors in the 2024–25 season—fueled by his high salary, defensive inconsistencies, and the need for roster flexibility around —the Nuggets traded Porter Jr. to the on July 8, 2025, along with an unprotected 2032 first-round pick, in exchange for forward Cam Johnson. The move allowed to address shooting and defense while reshaping its contending core.

Brooklyn Nets (2025–present)

On July 8, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets acquired forward Michael Porter Jr. from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for forward Cameron Johnson, with the Nets also receiving an unprotected 2032 first-round draft pick from Denver. Porter entered the trade under the remaining years of his five-year, $179 million maximum contract extension originally signed with Denver in 2021, which includes $38.3 million for the 2025–26 season. As of January 10, 2026, through 26 games of the 2025–26 season, Porter has emerged as the Nets' leading scorer, averaging 26.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. In this expanded role as the primary offensive option amid Brooklyn's rebuilding efforts around young talent, he has showcased his scoring versatility, including efficient mid-range and three-point shooting. Standout performances include a 32-point, 11-rebound in a 112–103 victory over the on November 5, 2025, marking the Nets' first win of the season, and 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting in a 125–107 loss to the two days later. On November 14, 2025, he recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 105–98 loss to the . In December 2025, Porter elevated his performance further, averaging 28.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over 10 games. This month highlighted his improved playmaking, with his season-long 3.3 assists per game marking a career high and his total assists this season already approaching the sum from his first seven NBA seasons. On his podcast, Draymond Green awarded Porter the "who made the jump" accolade for December, praising his bold shot selection and comparing his current impact to his tenure with the Denver Nuggets, noting that Porter has become a more dangerous and versatile player. Porter's transition to has involved adapting to a higher-usage role on a developing roster, contrasting his complementary position in , while navigating the intensified media scrutiny of the New York market. His championship experience from the 2023 NBA title with the Nuggets has provided subtle leadership guidance to Brooklyn's inexperienced core. In January 2026, reports indicated that the Brooklyn Nets were fielding trade interest in Michael Porter Jr., with demands for multiple first-round picks. According to NBC Sports' Dalton Johnson, citing a league source, the Nets could seek two first-round picks to trade the forward. On January 10, 2026, John Hollinger of The Athletic reported, based on a league source, that Michael Porter Jr. is a "lock" to be traded by the Nets before the February 5, 2026, NBA trade deadline to capitalize on his strong performance. Following the report, Porter was listed out for rest in the Nets' game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 11, 2026. Potential deals have involved teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Milwaukee Bucks, as suggested in various trade proposals and mock scenarios.

Career statistics and records

NBA regular season

Michael Porter Jr. entered the NBA with the after being selected in the 2018 draft, but missed his entire rookie season due to back recovery. He debuted in the 2019–20 season, appearing in 55 games primarily off the bench, averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range. His role expanded significantly in the 2020–21 season, starting 54 of 61 games and boosting his production to 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, with efficient shooting at 54.2% and 44.5% from beyond the arc. Injuries limited Porter to just 9 games during the 2021–22 season, where he averaged 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds, hampered by a lower efficiency of 35.9% from the . He rebounded in 2022–23 with 62 starts, posting 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 48.7% and 41.4% three-point . The 2023–24 season saw him in 81 games, averaging 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds with a 48.4% . In 2024–25 with the Nuggets, Porter played 77 starts, achieving 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game at 50.4% from the and 39.5% from three. Early in the 2025–26 season with the , through 10 games, he has averaged 23.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while 46.3% from the and 35.6% from three-point range. Porter's career regular season per-game averages stand at 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, with shooting splits of 49.6% from the field and 40.3% from three-point range across 355 , reflecting his evolution from a limited-minute bench contributor to a high-usage starter logging around 30 minutes per game in recent seasons. Advanced metrics underscore his efficiency as a scorer, with a career (PER) of 17.0 and (TS%) of .615; peak years like 2020–21 featured a PER of 20.6 and TS% of .663, while trends show consistent TS% above .600 in full seasons except the injury-shortened 2021–22.
SeasonTeamGMPPTSTRBASTFG%3P%PERTS%
2019–20DEN5516.49.34.70.8.509.42219.8.617
2020–21DEN6131.319.07.31.1.542.44520.6.663
2021–22DEN929.49.96.61.9.359.2087.5.416
2022–23DEN6229.017.45.51.0.487.41416.8.621
2023–24DEN8131.716.77.01.5.484.39715.5.601
2024–25DEN7733.718.27.02.1.504.39516.2.617
2025–26BKN1032.023.17.42.6.463.35618.0.590
Career35529.216.46.61.5.496.40317.0.615
Note: Table data sourced from Basketball-Reference; G = games played, MP = minutes per game, PTS/TRB/AST = points/rebounds/assists per game, PER = player efficiency rating, TS% = true shooting percentage.

NBA playoffs

Michael Porter Jr. has played in 75 NBA playoff games across six postseason appearances, averaging 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 35.1% from three-point range. His role as a floor-spacer has been particularly valuable in high-stakes matchups, leveraging his shooting to create space for teammates like Nikola Jokić during Denver's deep playoff runs. In the playoffs, Porter has often elevated his rebounding impact, averaging over 8 boards per game in the 2023 NBA Finals, contributing to the Nuggets' championship success. In the 2020 Western Conference Finals against the , Porter averaged 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds over five games, providing efficient scoring as a with a 40.9% three-point clip in the series. The Nuggets fell 4-1, but Porter's 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting in Game 5 highlighted his potential in extended playoff exposure. Three years later, in the versus the , he posted 9.6 points and a playoff-high 8.4 rebounds per game across five contests, including a of 16 points and 13 rebounds in the decisive Game 5 victory that clinched Denver's first title. During the 2024–25 playoffs with the , Porter appeared in 14 games, averaging 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds as the team advanced past the first round before losing 4-3 to the in the Western Conference Semifinals. He shot an impressive 44.1% from beyond the arc in the seven-game first-round series against the , underscoring his value as a perimeter threat despite a dip in scoring volume. Overall, Porter's playoff three-point shooting has shown series-specific spikes above 40%, enhancing his role in spacing the floor during Denver's contention window before his July 2025 trade to the .

College statistics

During his lone college season with the in 2017–18, Michael Porter Jr.'s participation was limited to just three games due to a hip injury requiring surgery. He averaged 17.7 minutes per game, posting 10.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game, along with 1.0 steals. His shooting in limited action was .333 from the field and .300 from three-point range.
SeasonTeamGPMPGFG%3P%PTSREBASTSTL
2017–18317.7.333.30010.06.70.31.0
These figures underscore his raw scoring and rebounding potential in a severely truncated campaign.

Awards and honors

NBA championships

Michael Porter Jr. played a pivotal role in the ' 2023 NBA Championship victory, their first in franchise history, as they defeated the 4–1 in the Finals. Alongside stars and , Porter contributed significantly on the boards and in key moments, averaging 9.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 0.8 made three-pointers per game across the five-game series. His rebounding helped Denver control the paint against Miami's undersized lineup, while his length provided defensive versatility in navigating the Heat's zone schemes. In Game 5, the series-clinching 94–89 win at home, Porter delivered 16 points and a with 13 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards that limited Miami's second-chance opportunities. Despite shooting struggles from beyond the arc (4-of-28 overall in the series), his adjustments to focus on interior presence and crashing the glass were crucial, maintaining a strong defensive rating of 97.6 in his minutes during the opener and contributing to the team's overall dominance. This performance exemplified Porter's growth in handling Miami's , where he used his 6-foot-10 frame to disrupt passing lanes and secure possessions. The held deep personal significance for Porter, serving as validation after an injury-plagued marked by three back surgeries that sidelined him for significant time, including missing his entire rookie season. His contributions in the built on prior postseason experience, culminating in a title that affirmed his resilience and integration into Denver's championship core.

Other accolades

During his high school career at High School in , Washington, Michael Porter Jr. earned several prestigious honors, including the Washington Mr. Basketball award in 2017. He was also named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2016-17, recognizing his dominance as the top recruit in the class of 2017. Additionally, Porter was selected as MVP of the 2017 and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2017). At the , where his college tenure was limited to three games due to a back injury, Porter was still honored with a spot on the 2018 SEC All-Freshman Team, acknowledging his preseason hype and brief on-court impact. In the NBA, Porter received recognition for his breakout performance during the 2019-20 season, finishing third in voting for the NBA Most Improved Player award after averaging 16.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 66 appearances for the . He was also named to the NBA All-Seeding Games Second Team for his contributions in the 2020 Orlando bubble, where he averaged 22.0 points and 8.6 rebounds over 7 games.

Personal life

Faith and beliefs

Michael Porter Jr. was raised in a Christian household in , where his parents instilled as a central guiding force from an early age. His family emphasized strict accountability and biblical principles, fostering an environment that prioritized spiritual growth alongside athletic development. This upbringing shaped his , with Porter later reflecting that his parents' influence helped him navigate the pressures of a high-profile basketball career. In public statements, Porter has consistently articulated his commitment to prioritizing God over basketball success, emphasizing that "basketball doesn’t matter, money doesn’t matter, fame doesn’t matter. It’s just the important things that matter, and that’s a relationship with God." During his college years at the University of Missouri, he experienced a pivotal moment of personal conviction, realizing, "OK, I want to choose Jesus and God. I want to be known as that. I’m not gonna be perfect, but that’s what I’m gonna choose." In early 2025, amid a strong on-court performance streak, he reiterated this focus, expressing his aim "to choose Jesus" as a core aspect of his identity beyond athletics. He has also shared vulnerability within faith communities, discussing how openness with trusted believers strengthens his spiritual resilience. Porter's faith has been instrumental in addressing personal struggles, including chronic injuries that plagued his early NBA years and relational challenges. He has credited his Christian beliefs for sustaining him through adversity, stating that "through all my trials, through all my adversities I always leaned on my faith" during recovery periods sidelining him for significant time. In a 2025 podcast episode of Curious Mike, he openly admitted to ongoing battles with relational vices, particularly "the constant lure of the flesh" in the form of attractions to women, noting that distancing from God exacerbates these issues while faith provides strength to persevere. His beliefs also influenced key decisions, such as entering the 2018 NBA draft despite a severe back injury, a choice he attributes to his faith becoming deeply personal around that time. To maintain his faith, Porter engages in regular practices such as daily reading, , and surrounding himself with a supportive faith-based for and . These habits, he explains, help him stay grounded and aligned with his spiritual priorities amid the demands of professional .

Business ventures

Michael Porter Jr. has pursued several entrepreneurial and endorsement opportunities outside his NBA career, focusing on , wellness, and community initiatives. In May 2025, he joined INDIBA, a leader in radiofrequency therapy for athletic recovery, as an to promote physical and emotional through innovative recovery technologies. This partnership aligns with his personal experiences overcoming multiple back surgeries using similar non-invasive treatments. Porter has also maintained a long-term endorsement deal with Puma, a major sportswear brand, which has contributed to his off-court income through apparel and marketing campaigns. Additionally, he endorsed Curious Mike, a , expanding his presence in consumer products. In terms of community-focused ventures, Porter actively supported 's Mayor's YouthWorks program in June 2025, promoting summer job opportunities for youth aged 14 to 21, offering a $500 completion bonus for 100 hours of work to foster employment skills and economic empowerment. This initiative, which he highlighted via before his trade to the , ties into his broader philanthropic efforts aimed at youth development in . As of September 2025, Porter's is estimated at $40 million, derived primarily from his NBA contracts and endorsement deals, reflecting his growing .

References

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