Michael Lamar Porter Jr., widely known as MPJ, is an American professional basketball athlete for the Denver Nuggets of the NBA. 

Alongside his on-court accomplishments, Porter has found himself in the spotlight due to his personal beliefs and controversial comments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This feature will delve into the various aspects of Porter’s life, highlighting his basketball achievements, personal struggles, and the controversies surrounding him.

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Quick Facts

Full Name	Michael Lamar Porter Jr.,
Known As	Michael Porter Jr.
Nickname	MPJ
Birth Date	June 29, 1998
Birth Place	Columbia, Missouri
Residence	Not Available
Religion	Christianity
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	American
Education	Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School Nathan Hale High School University of Missouri
Zodiac Sign	Gemini
Father’s Name	Michael Porter
Mother’s Name	Lisa Porter
Siblings	Jontay, Izaak, Bri, Cierra, Jyda, Jevon, and Covan
Age	24 years old
Height	6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight	218 lb (99 kg)
Body Type	Athletic
Profession	Basketball Player
Marital Status	Single
Girlfriend	Madison Pettis (Ex-Girlfriend)
Children	None
Active since	2017– present
Teams	Denver Nuggets
Achievements	National high school player of the year (2017) McDonald’s All-American MVP (2017) Washington Mr. Basketball (2017)
Endorsements	Not Available
Net Worth	$1-5 million
NBA Draft Pick	2018 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14th overall
Position	Small Forward
League	NBA
Merch	Not Available
Social Media	Not Available

 

Early Life and Family Background 

Michael Porter Jr., a talented and rising star in basketball, has captured the attention of fans and critics alike with his remarkable skills on the court; he was born on June 29, 1998, in Columbia, Missouri. 

Michael Porter Jr. was born to proud parents, Michael and Lisa Porter, and he holds American nationality.

Growing up in a household filled with love and basketball, he was surrounded by his siblings, Jontay, Izaak, Bri, Cierra, Jyda, Jevon, and Covan. This close-knit family provided a solid foundation for Porter’s development as a person and an athlete.

With basketball running in his blood, it was no surprise that Michael Porter Jr. was drawn to the sport from a young age. 

Inspired by his father and siblings, who are also passionate about the game, he quickly developed a natural talent and a burning desire to excel on the court. This early exposure to basketball within his family played a pivotal role in shaping his dedication and work ethic.

High School Career

Michael Porter Jr.’s basketball career took off during his high school years. He attended Father Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia, Missouri, where he led the team to the 2A State Championship in his junior season. 

Recognizing his immense talent, Porter transferred to Nathan Hale High School, located in Seattle, Washington, for his senior year. At Nathan Hale, Porter played under the guidance of coach Brandon Roy, a former NBA player. 

During his senior season, Porter averaged 36.2 points and 13.6 rebounds, helping his high school team achieve a perfect 29-0 record and win the Washington Class 3A State Championship. His exceptional performances earned him recognition as a five-star recruit and one of the peak overall recruits in his class.

College Career

After committing to the University of Washington in July 2016, Porter’s plans changed when his father, Michael Porter Sr., worked as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri. 

Porter Jr. followed suit and decided to play for Missouri with his Dad and his younger brother, Jontay, who reclassified from the class of 2018. 

However, Porter’s college career was plagued by a lower back injury. He suffered the injury during the first half of the season opener against Iowa State, leading to him missing most of the 2017-18 season. Porter underwent a successful microdiscectomy of his L3-L4 spinal discs in November 2017. Despite the setbacks, Porter was cleared to practice in February 2018 and returned to the court in March 2018, playing in the SEC and NCAA tournaments. 

Shortly after, he decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declared for the 2018 NBA draft.

Professional Career

Denver Nuggets

In the 2018 NBA draft, Nuggets selected Porter as the 14th overall pick. His draft position was lower than initially expected due to concerns about his health. 

There were discussions about having him sit out his entire rookie season to allow for proper recovery. However, Porter signed a multi-year contract with the Nuggets on July 3, 2018. 

Unfortunately, Porter’s injury troubles persisted, and he underwent a second back surgery in July 2018, causing him to miss the entirety of the 2018-19 NBA season.

Porter made his long-awaited NBA debut on October 31, 2019, coming off the bench and contributing 15 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

On December 29, 2019, he started his first career, recording 19 points, six rebounds, and an assist in a victory over the Sacramento Kings. Four days later, Porter set a new career-high with 25 points against the Indiana Pacers. Porter’s breakout performance in the NBA bubble came on August 4, 2020, when he scored a career-high 37 points to lead the Nuggets to an overtime triumph against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

On April 24, 2021, Porter achieved another career milestone by scoring 39 points against the Houston Rockets. His impressive scoring ability and potential have solidified his position as a key player for the Denver Nuggets.

Personal Life and Controversies

Beyond his basketball career, Porter has drawn attention to his personal life and controversial remarks. 

He has been open about his Christian faith and, at one point, followed a vegetarian and later a raw vegan diet. However, he has since abandoned these dietary restrictions.

Covid-19 Controversy

In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter made controversial comments on Snapchat regarding the virus. He expressed skepticism about the disease, stating that he believed it was being used for a larger agenda and population control. 

His remarks included concerns about mask-wearing and speculation about the implications of a potential vaccine. These comments sparked criticism and led to the deletion of his post on Snapchat for violating the platform’s content guidelines.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented on the controversy, acknowledging Porter’s right to voice his opinions but expressing disappointment in his remarks. The Denver Nuggets coach, Michael Malone, stated that the team would not censor their players but instead focus on educating them about the impact of their words.

Salary and Net Worth

As of 2023, Michael Porter Jr.’s estimated net worth is around $1-5 million. He has earned a total of $2,894,160 during his first two seasons in the NBA. 

In 2018, Porter signed a four-year rookie contract with the Denver Nuggets, which could pay him up to $15.4 million throughout the contract. His average annual salary is approximately $2,894,160.

Relationship Status 

Michael Porter Jr., the talented basketball player for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, is currently not in a relationship. However, he has been romantically linked to Madison Pettis and Madison Prewett.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Michael Porter Jr have a gf?

Michael Porter Jr. is not in a relationship and is currently single. However, he has been in past relationships with several women, including Madison Pettis and Madison Prewett. Michael Lamar Porter Jr., born on June 29, 1998, is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA.

Did Michael Porter Jr delete Instagram?

In addition to focusing on his growth as a player and observing the conduct of Nuggets veterans Gary Harris and Paul Millsap, Michael Porter Jr. recently deleted all his social media accounts. Porter expressed that removing himself from social media gives him ample time and freedom. He stated, “I have unlimited time in my life by eliminating social media.”

What back injury did MPJ have?

After undergoing lumbar spine surgery, Michael Porter Jr., the forward for the Denver Nuggets, unfortunately, missed most games last year, only playing in nine of them. However, during his team’s summer-league game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Porter shared positive updates on his recovery, signaling promising progress.