Michael Porter Jr. is expected to be a top-10 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft. Some experts even say he could go in the top five.
The 6-foot-11 forward played his college basketball at Missouri, but due to a back injury, only saw action in three games. Two years ago, he was the top high school prospect in the nation. He was named USA Today’s Mr. Basketball, Gatorade’s National Player of the Year and won the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game MVP.
Knowing that the 19-year-old will be facing a lot of scrutiny and attention as he seeks to reach NBA stardom, his father, Michael Porter Sr., a former college basketball player and now assistant basketball coach at the University of Missouri, penned a letter to his son. Below is a portion of that letter as published on Athletes In Action’s website:
Dear Michael,
So, I’m sitting on this plane headed out to New York to join you for the draft with thoughts and emotions swirling! I can’t stop thinking about you, your life, and all that you’re about to face. It’s so crazy to see what we’ve talked about since you were little actually come to pass, isn’t it? Congratulations, man! It has been like a dream to witness your growth and share life with you!
One of the sayings in today’s chapter of Proverbs begs us to not stop listening to correction, lest we forget what we’ve already learned (Proverbs 19:27). As you stand on the precipice of realizing your dreams of playing basketball in the NBA, I know (and I hope you know) that a billion seductive and persuasive voices will be vying for influence/control of your mind, your heart, your affections and your choices. The onslaught will be real and never ending.
Jesus said, “Everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock.” I just want to see you build your life on rock, Mike. Whatever it is and however it looks, build your life on what truly counts. Remember, the fruit of discipline is freedom, and God gives grace to the humble!
You can read the entire letter and more great content from AIA by visiting its website here.
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The NBA Draft begins Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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