Report: Missouri's Michael Porter Jr. cleared for basketball activities

Missouri freshman forward Michael Porter Jr. has been cleared for basketball activities, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Porter underwent back surgery in November to repair two discs in his spine. It was initially ruled that he would miss three-to-four months, which effectively meant that he would miss his entire season.

However, a renowned doctor that treated Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan said in December that Porter wouldn't necessarily miss the year, and cited a six-to-eight-week timeline. His return splits the difference between the two prognoses.

Prior to the injury, Porter was in the conversation as a potential No. 1 pick. The 19-year-old stands at 6-foot-10 and boasts an impressive array of skills that he thus far has been unable to show off at the collegiate level.

Porter was a five-star recruit and was named the McDonald's All-American Game MVP and the Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year.