The 2018 NBA draft will be remembered for one of the deepest and most talented classes of all-time.

Luka Doncic was selected third overall. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander slipped to 11th. Jalen Brunson fell to 33rd. Trae Young was taken fifth. Jaren Jackson Jr. went fourth. Mikal Bridges went 10th.

But at one point, one prospect was viewed above them all, widely projected to be selected with the No. 1 pick that year’s draft.

Michael Porter Jr. puts up a shot past Jalen Duren in the first half of the Nets’ 125-107 loss to the Pistons at the Barclays Center on Nov. 7, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST

Then, Michael Porter Jr. injured his back in his first appearance at Missouri, limiting him to three college games after undergoing spinal disk surgery.

Porter dropped to 14th — despite draft night pl

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