Mizzou’s Cierra Porter medically retires following knee issues
The Mizzou women’s basketball team will be without one of its star players for the 2018-19 season. Senior forward Cierra Porter decided to medically retire from the team following knee issues.
“There are not enough words to express my gratitude toward my Aunt (Coach Pingeton), the rest of the amazing staff, my teammates who became my sisters, my supportive and loving family, the world’s best fans, and the countless other people that made my time at Mizzou so incredible,” said Porter in a statement. “I have memories that I will carry with me forever. Now that I have my degree, I have decided to shift my focus toward my future quality of life and that means saying goodbye to the sport I love. While it was the hardest decision I’ve ever made, I’m excited for what God has planned for my life moving forward. I appreciate Mizzou nation so much, and I am forever a Tiger!”
In a statement, head coach Robin Pingeton said, “Cierra has been a vital member of our program for the past three years and we can’t thank her enough for her contributions. This was obviously a very difficult decision for Cierra, but one that we fully support. Cierra has played through much pain with ongoing knee issues over the last several years and there comes a point where you have to put long term quality of life ahead of everything else. It is remarkable what she has been able to contribute to our program despite never being fully healthy. Cierra graduated in three years with a 3.8 GPA, and there is no doubt she has a very bright future ahead of her. Although we will miss Cierra, we wish her nothing but the very best and are excited for the next chapter in her life.”
Porter averaged 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game over her three years with Mizzou. Porter earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors in 2015-16 after scoring 8.6 points and grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game. Her 266 total points in her debut season rank as the tenth-most in school history. Porter also ranks fifth all time in rebounding in school history.
Porter finished just four points shy of 1,000 career points in a Mizzou uniform. She started 90 of 94 games and battled through knee concerns throughout her junior season. Porter helped lead Mizzou to three straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Her older sister, Bri Porter, retired from the Tigers before the start of last season because of multiple ACL tears on both knees.
The loss of Porter will put a lot of weight on the shoulders of junior Hannah Schuchts and sophomore Emmanuelle Tahane who each played valuable minutes during the 2017-18 season. The team will likely have to rely on incoming freshman forward Brittany Garner as well. Garner is listed at 6’4″ and was the number 68 overall recruit for 2018.
