Generation NEXT: Grace, diligence, ambition make high school hoops star Michaela Porter a stand out

It is with a heart filled with humility that Brighton Heights resident Michaela Porter, 17, achieves one outstanding basketball achievement after another.
That includes being named MVP on her high school team two years in a row, and being named player of the year in the Pittsburgh City League and making its all-star team. Additionally, as a starter for her team at Pittsburgh Obama 6-12, she is already being courted by upward of 10 coaches from around the United States.
The term “champion” is not unfamiliar to Michaela. She is part of a trio of stellar athletes in her family.
Her dad, Darrell Porter, was a four-year starter at the University of Pittsburgh and was the all-time leader in assists, second in steals and a member of the 1,000 Point Club when he finished his career. Darrell led the Big East in assists during the 1990 season. In 1997, he became the youngest head basketball coach in Duquesne University’s history.
Michaela’s brother, D.J., is currently a student athlete at Polk State University on a full scholarship. A 6-foot-5 guard, he, too, played basketball at Pittsburgh Obama 6-12, averaged 21.9 points a game his senior season and led his squad to the Pittsburgh City League Championship game. Like Michaela, he was named Player of the Year for the Pittsburgh City League and he also was one of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Fab Five.