Howard Porter (basketball)

Porter was born in Stuart, Florida. While in the 8th grade, he played on the varsity team at Stuart Training School, the high school for Martin County blacks.[1] He attended Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. The highlight of his high school career occurred in 1967, when he led Booker to the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association Class A State Basketball Championship.

Porter then played collegiately at Villanova University, where he was a three-time All-America selection. He took Villanova to the 1971 NCAA Championship Game, in which Villanova lost to UCLA 68–62. Porter was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after scoring 25 points in the final game. However, he was later ruled ineligible for the honor because he had signed a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Condors of the American Basketball Association during the middle of his senior year.[2] To the present day, the MOP for the 1971 Final Four is listed as "*Vacated".

Porter never played for the Condors, instead joining the NBA's Chicago Bulls in 1971. He played seven seasons in the NBA as a member of the Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, and New Jersey Nets. His finest professional season occurred in 1976–77, when he averaged 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Pistons.[3] During his time playing for the Pistons, he was nicknamed "Geezer" for his slow, deliberate stye of play and his long beard. He became a fan favorite at the Pistons' then-home, Cobo Arena.

Howard Porter, who was employed as a county probation officer, disappeared on May 18, 2007. He was found severely beaten in a Minneapolis, Minnesota alley in the early morning hours of May 19 and died on May 26 of injuries sustained during the assault.[4]

Local police arrested a 33-year-old woman named Tanya Washington in connection with the murder.[5] Washington was later released by police, stating that there was not enough evidence to file charges against her.[6] On September 4, police announced that they had arrested and charged Rashad Arthur Raleigh with Porter's murder.[7] Raleigh is now serving a life sentence for the crime.[8]

Howard Porter is interred at Washington Park Cemetery in Orlo Vista, Florida.[9]