Former Missouri Tigers forward Michael Porter Jr. didn't get much playing time during his freshman year due to a back injury he suffered just minutes into the season, but he isn't lacking in confidence heading into next month's draft.
Speaking with reporters at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine on Thursday, Porter, 19, described himself as the best player in the draft and says that everyone will realize that soon enough.
"I played against all these guys, they're all great players, but I'm the best player in this draft," Porter said at the 2018 NBA Scouting Combine on Thursday, via ESPN's Nick Friedell. "And I just can't wait to show what I'm capable of."
“Everyone will realize that soon," he added, according to The New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy.
The 6'10 forward was the #2 overall recruit coming out of high school in 2017 but never really got a chance to prove himself at the collegiate level. His health will naturally be a concern of team's selecting in the lottery, but most mock drafts still see the 19-year old kid going in the 5-8 range.
The 2018 NBA Draft class includes a plethora of promising forwards and centers, including projected #1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton and Duke's 6'11 forward Marvin Bagley III, who has been described as the most "NBA ready" of all the players coming out of college. Check out some of the other top prospects right here.