1-on-1 with Jontay Porter: Basketball, brotherhood and his favorite Denver coffee shop

Jontay Porter took the last year off from basketball to rehab a knee injury and get his body healthy, but is back and playing Summer League with the Nuggets. He spoke with DNVR about growing up as Michael Porter Jr.’s younger brother, how he developed his own unique skill-set and what’s next in his basketball journey.

DNVR: What has the Summer League experience been like for you so far?

Jontay Porter: It’s been fun. Lots of familiar faces and familiar vibes just from being around the team a bunch before I was playing with the Grizzlies two years ago. It’s been a lot smoother transition for me than I’m sure most guys who are just hopping from to the team. I’m more familiar with this situation. It’s a blessing, a big blessing, and it’s special having my brother here watching and just getting to take it all in. It feels like a sauna out here, but it’s been a lot of fun just getting to hoop with my guys.

DNVR: What was it like growing up as Michael Porter Jr.’s younger brother?

Porter: It was definitely an experience. You kind of have to learn to be in the background a little bit and not get too jealous, and I don’t think I have a jealous bone in my body. I’ve always enjoyed seeing my brother’s success, whether it’s in the limelight with basketball or seeing all his followers he gets on Instagram, that’s a lot to take in when you’re an eighth-grader, you know. For me, just getting used to that and seeing who he is today, I’m his biggest fan whether it’s on the court or off it and getting to see what he’s been able to do and battle the adversity. We both had injuries, but to see his ability to get through that adversity is really special and inspiring for me. People say we have the same gestures. We kind of have the same voice. Some people say we look alike, but I don’t see it. But I think we’re complete opposites off the court. Yin and yang. Salt and pepper. He’s a little bit more out there, a little more aggressive, and likes to be in the spotlight a little bit. I’m more just in the background doing my thing, cheering him on. So it’s definitely an interesting dynamic, but I think you need a little bit of everything in a family of eight children. We all have our own personalities. It’s really special.

DNVR: Have the injuries changed your perspective on basketball or life?

Porter: I was never injury-prone growing up until I had that knee surgery at Mizzou. I thought I was kind of the invincible one. My sisters had injuries. Michael had back surgery. So I was like, well, I’m the chosen one, I guess. I had no injuries. I just thought the game would be here forever for me. Then over the course of three or four years, to see how quickly something that important can be taken away from you really sheds light on the importance of everything else around you whether it’s family, relationships or just personal growth. I think is really important. So I’ve learned to not put so much weight or all my beans in that basket of basketball and just learn to take take the good that comes with life. Even within injuries, you can find positive things to grow out of it. So that’s just what I think me and my brother both had to learn. If you put all your weight in basketball, it can be taken away overnight.

DNVR: How did your game and skill-set develop to where it is now?

Porter: I think my game mostly developed from having to pass the ball to Michael all the time growing up. We always played on the same team and he has always been Michael, you know, the best player in the country. He always wanted to get shots up. So that’s kind of where I developed my passing ability and just trying to be a supplement to the star players around me. Whenever Michael’s getting triple teamed, I’m just there ready to shoot, so that’s why I developed my jumper. Whenever he’s cutting, I have to be ready to throw him a bounce pass, a lob, whatever. A lot of my game comes from evolving with my brother over time. Not to say he’s made me who I am at all, but it’s just been a learning experience and an evolution throughout my childhood to who I am today. It’s really interesting. Our dream is get to play together again one day.

DNVR: What’s Jontay Porter like off the court?

Porter: I think I’m really reserved. I like to do more just low-key stuff. Go to coffee shops, my favorite one is Method Collective in the Highlands. When I was living with Michael I used to walk there every day because I didn’t have a car. Also read, play video games. Michael’s like, I’m gonna go have a house party. So it’s a lot different. But he’s my best friend for a reason, not because he’s Michael Porter Jr. It’s because we’ve grown up together doing everything together and I love being in his presence.

DNVR: What’s next for you in your career? Last week in Denver you said you’re here because you wanted to give it “one more go.”

Porter: I love hoop. I want to play obviously wherever that may be. I feel like I’m good enough as long as my body holds up to be able to play, so when I say one more go I mostly mean my body. If I have a poor showing out here and nobody wants me, that’s not the end of the world. It’s about how my body holds up. If I’m good enough to play, I’ll pursue an opportunity wherever that may be, whether it’s here in the States or somewhere else I want to play. I’m only 22, so I have a lot of time to play. To give up something I’ve done my whole life this early would be a crime to what God’s blessed me with. So we’ll see what happens either way. I’m excited to be here today and just continue to try to play every day to the best of my capabilities.