Michael Porter Jr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on June 29, 1998, in Columbia, Missouri, to Michael and Lisa Porter Sr. His father was a high school basketball coach and his mother played college basketball at the University of Missouri. With his parents’ background in both coaching and playing the game of basketball it is no surprise that Michael found success on the court early in life.

Porter began playing competitively at a young age attending Father Tolton High School in Columbia where he became one of the most sought-after high school players in America due to his impressive height (6’10”) and athleticism. He earned recognition from numerous publications including being named Mr Show Me Basketball Player as well as a consensus five-star recruit by all major recruiting services – ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247Sports – ranking him highly among other elite prospects entering college ball.

Porter had initially committed to play collegiate ball with Washington Huskies but transferred after one year when head coach Lorenzo Romar got fired mid-season; eventually settling on Mizzou Tigers under new head coach Cuonzo Martin for 2017–18 season which would prove extremely fruitful for both parties involved as Porter quickly emerged into one of best players in program history leading them to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2013 during his freshman campaign while maintaining averages of 10.0 points per game (ppg), 6 .7 rebounds per game (rpg)and 1 .3 assist per game(apg). Unfortunately an injury kept him from appearing further down tournament road but this did not stop him from declaring for NBA Draft making himself available for selection by 2018 Summer League with Denver Nuggets selecting him 14th overall pick during draft night proceedings that same year; becoming their highest selection since Carmelo Anthony back 2005 when they took Italian big man Andrea Bargnani 1st overall pick that same evening thus starting what has been so far promising career journey between those two ever since then..

Despite missing majority 2019–20 season due to right knee surgery he still managed put up solid performances managing average 13ppg throughout regular season games before going out 3rd round playoffs series versus Utah Jazz thus helping nuggets reach Western Conference Finals match against Los Angeles Lakers competition they eventually lost 4–1 shortly afterwards without being able compete full strength roster wise due injuries sustained throughout course those endevours nevertheless it indicates bright future lies ahead porter here forward once recovers fully given how stellar already even limited action taken place recent times now remains see whether or not will keep developing into star player many pundints predict be come 2021 should return healthy enough playball again showing world why Denver decided select him last summer drafts , only time will tell what kind story unfold next..