Since entering the league back in 2013, Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter has improved in each season he's played in. From being a third-string player in his rookie campaign, he has now established himself as a legitimate starter because of his basketball smarts, hustle, and shooting from beyond the arc. However, what many people do not know is he never shot a lot from long distance before and was only influenced by his mother to do so.
Elnora Timmons Porter recently revealed, via Jerry Brewer of The Washington Post, that she reminded her son to shoot some three-pointers to give him a chance to make it to the NBA someday.
“Whenever he was in school, he never shot out on the three-point line. Whenever we’d been in the postseason, in the regionals or state, then he’d start shooting them. I always told him, ‘If you ever go to the NBA, they’re going to be looking for players to shoot the three.’”
She also added how proud she is of the 23-year-old Georgetown product and is thankful for the opportunity he's had to showcase his talents at the highest level.
“I’m glad that he’s improved on his three. He needs to start shooting more. But how far he’s come, it’s just a blessing because when he first got to the NBA, he was saying, ‘Mama, when is it going to be my turn?’ I said, ‘Boy, just hold on. God will let you know.’ Now, it’s his turn. So he’s busy making something of it.”
With Otto Porter slated to become a restricted free agent this summer, he could demand a higher pay especially given the skill set that he has. Wherever he may end up and what the size of his contract may be, one thing that's certain is he'll owe it to her mother for influencing him to play like the way he does now.
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