Missouri State grants release to Porter

The transfer of former Sikeston High School basketball standout Michael Porter from Missouri State to Southeast Missouri State is one step closer to being finalized after Porter was granted a release from his scholarship at MSU on Monday.

Porter could not be reached for comment, but in an MSU news release he cited personal reasons for ending his association with the Bears. He listed his single-vehicle accident in early June that resulted in hip surgery and put his basketball career in jeopardy, along with the recent birth of his first child, a son.

"Tomorrow is never promised," Porter said in the release. "The past few months have helped me prioritize things in my life. Whether or not I am able to play basketball again, I want to stay close to home. I love the Missouri State program, but I have a son now, and being a father figure is more important than ever."

Porter said in the release that he plans on continuing his education at Southeast this fall. He also said he plans to take his physical recovery from the accident very slow.

"I love the game, and it would be hard to walk away," said Porter, who rated the chances of playing basketball again at 50-50.

However, several sources said Porter plans to continue his basketball career at Southeast and will receive a scholarship.

Southeast coach Dickey Nutt is prohibited by NCAA regulations from commenting until Porter officially transfers, which should be finalized in several days.

Porter, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, had an injury-plagued freshman season in 2009-10 that included an emergency appendectomy and a torn hamstring that forced him to miss all but six games.

Porter averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in a reserve role that saw him average just more than 11 minutes per contest. He scored a team-high 16 points at Arkansas Little Rock on Dec. 2 and grabbed five rebounds against Air Force on Dec. 5.

Porter, who was recruited heavily by Southeast out of high school, will have to sit out the 2010-11 season under NCAA transfer rules, but he will be able to practice with the Redhawks provided he is healthy.

Porter will have three or four years of eligibility at Southeast. He was approved for a medical redshirt at Missouri State, which still would have given him four years of eligibility had he remained with that program.

Because the NCAA requires athletes to use their four years of eligibility within a five-year period from when they enter school, Porter's fifth year of school will coincide with his third season of playing for the Redhawks. Southeast could petition the NCAA to grant Porter an additional year for his injury-shortened season.