Newly-minted Washington commit Michael Porter Jr. went for 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the USA to a 103-70 rout of Puerto Rico in the first game for both teams at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile.
The 6-foot-9 Porter Jr. committed to Washington on Friday on the eve of the team’s trip to Chile. His father, Michael Porter Sr., is an assistant coach and head coach Lorenzo Romar is his Godfather.
Incoming Texas freshman Jarrett Allen (St. Stephen’s Episcopal School/Round Rock, Texas) had 18 points and eight rebounds; Mohamed Bamba (Westtown School/New York, N.Y.) and Washington freshman Markelle Fultz (DeMatha Catholic H.S./Upper Marlboro, Md.) each contributed 14 points; and Matt Coleman III (Oak Hill Academy/Norfolk, Va.) tallied 10 points.
P.J. Washington had 10 rebounds for the Americans and Trae Young dished 5 assists.
“I thought we played pretty good in our first game,” said Porter Jr. “There were a lot of areas for improvement, but I thought we played hard.”
“I thought our guys played with really good energy,” said USA U18 and University of Texas head coach Shaka Smart. “We had typical first-game jitters – a lot of execution mistakes and some defensive break downs from a lack of communication, but the energy was really good. And I thought as the game went on, our guys really settled in and played together.”
The Americans play the Virgin Islands on Wednesday.
