Huskies hire father of star recruit as assistant basketball coach

  • By Christian Caple The News Tribune
  • Friday, May 6, 2016 9:56pm
  • SportsSports

SEATTLE — The father of one of the nation’s top basketball recruits in the 2017 class has joined Washington’s coaching staff as an assistant.

UW announced on Friday that Michael Porter, a longtime friend of Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar — and whose son, Michael Porter Jr., is the No. 5-rated player in Scout.com’s ranking of the 2017 recruiting class — has been hired as an assistant coach.

Porter’s youngest son, Jontay, is a 2018 recruit and has already announced an oral commitment to Washington.

To accommodate the move, UW will demote assistant Brad Jackson to the role of “special assistant to the head coach.” The Huskies’ other two assistants are Raphael Chillious and Will Conroy.

Porter spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Missouri women’s team, and spent the prior three seasons as Missouri’s director of basketball operations. Romar offered him the assistant coaching position left vacant by T.J. Otzelberger’s departure last offseason, but Porter decided to stay at Missouri for another season. UW eventually hired Conroy instead.

“We’re extremely excited to have Mike and his family join us,” Romar said in a statement released by the school. “I’ve known him for many years and he will be a very valuable addition to our coaching staff. Mike has a very high level of experience in player development and also provides a network of recruiting in the Midwest that we have not really been able to tap into. There’s no doubt he will help our program continue to grow and be a great mentor to our guys.”

Romar and Porter have been friends since the 1980s, when they played together for Athletes in Action. Romar is also Michael Porter Jr.’s godfather. Porter Jr. is a 6-foot-8, 195-pound small forward who holds scholarship offers from a bevy of college basketball bluebloods. He will be a high-school senior in 2016-17. Jontay Porter tweeted on Friday: “Moving to Washington!”

“I am extremely humbled and excited to have the opportunity to join the UW men’s basketball program,” Porter Sr. said in a statement released by UW. “The admiration, trust and respect my wife, Lisa, and I have for Lorenzo Romar stems from many years of watching how he lives his life and handles his business. I’m grateful for the chance to work with and learn from a man who exemplifies everything I want to be as a husband, father and coach.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens junior Keagan Howard is The Herald’s 2024 Defensive Football Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s Defensive Football Player of the Year: Keagan Howard

The dominant linebacker was also a standout on offense.

Wesco announces All-League football defense and special teams honors

Wesco has released its All-League 4A and 3A/2A high school football defensive… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll questions a call during the second half on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Brad Loper / Fort Worth Star-Telegram/ Tribune News Services)
Ex-Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reportedly seeking NFL return

Seattle’s former leader “expressed interest” in Bears’ open position.

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Ben Gregg (33) celebrates after scoring a 3-point basket in the West Coast Conference men's tournament at Orleans Arena on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt / Las Vegas Review-Journal Tribune News Services)
Gonzaga’s Ben Gregg uses NIL to spread holiday cheer

Basketball platform allows Bulldogs’ forward to help those in need.

Marysville Getchell and Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball teams prepare for tip-off ahead of a Dec. 23 non-league matchup at Edmonds-Woodway High School (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys defeat Getchell in “first true test”

The Warriors’ 15-3 third-quarter run sparked their seventh win.

Seahawks  quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field on Dec. 22, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Geno Smith has no time to assess his play

The Seahawks QB and his teammates focused on the Bears and Thursday Night Football.

Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field on Dec. 22, 2024. (Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks slim path to postseason begins Thursday

Seattle needs two wins and some help for division title and playoff berth.

Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen reacts after a play during a loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks lose game, grip on postseason

Sunday’s loss to Minnesota means the Seahawks must win final two and get some help.

Prep wrestling roundup for Saturday, Dec. 21

M-L Terrace boys, Lynnwood girls win the Royal Classic.

X
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Dec. 21

E-W girls soar to 6-1 on buzzer-beater winner.

Lake Stevens' Noelani Tupua and Glacier Peak's Lillian Riechelson prepare for tipoff in a Wesco 4A game at Lake Stevens High School on Dec. 20, 2024 (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Lake Stevens girls take down GP in a dynamic outing

A late Vikings push earned them a 71-63 win in a game of runs.

X
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Dec. 20

Mariner, Snohomish, Meadowdale earn Wesco wins.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.