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Michael Porter Jr. granted release by Washington; father takes job at Mizzou

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Porter's situation shows business of college basketball (1:47)

Tony Kornheiser and Jay Williams support Michael Porter getting out of his commitment to Washington and linking up with his father at the school he ultimately chooses. (1:47)

No. 1 prospect Michael Porter Jr. has been granted his release from his letter of intent to play for the Washington Huskies, the school confirmed Thursday.

Meanwhile, his dad, Michael Porter Sr., has accepted an assistant coaching position under new coach Cuonzo Martin at Missouri, he told ESPN.

The Porters are from Missouri, and Porter Sr. was an assistant women's coach at Missouri for three seasons before going to Washington.

Porter Jr., recently named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, committed to Washington last summer, two months after Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar hired Porter Sr. as an assistant coach. Romar was fired last week after 15 seasons with the Huskies.

"Washington is definitely still on the list, I would just like to weigh all my options and make a decision from there," Porter Jr. said on a conference call Wednesday, when he was presented with the Gatorade National Player of the Year award. "I just thought I want to be able to start over and look at all these schools and look at the pros and cons of each one."

Washington sophomore forward Noah Dickerson also has requested his release and will explore his transfer options, a source told ESPN. Dickerson averaged 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season.

Porter Jr.'s brother, ESPN 60 junior Jontay Porter, decommitted from Washington last week. Porter can potentially reclassify into the 2017 class or enroll early at the semester break next season.

Because Porter Jr. signed a letter of intent, Washington needed to grant his release. If it hadn't, Porter Jr. would have had to sit out a year before going elsewhere -- or more likely, turning pro.

New Washington coach Mike Hopkins was introduced by the school Wednesday and said he planned to meet with Porter soon.