Arkansas Basketball: Why former Razorback Bobby Portis was at the White House this week

Former Arkansas basketball player and current star of the Milwaukee Bucks Bobby Portis has had quite a 2021.

He was an integral part in helping the Milwaukee Bucks win an NBA championship this past season, scoring 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game the NBA Finals.

Portis has become a fan favorite not just in Milwaukee, but in all across the NBA community. His tenacious, tough brand of basketball is infections and blue collar-like.

Why was former Arkansas basketball player Bobby Portis at the White House?

Social media started lighting up whenever Bobby Portis posted a tweet of himself in front of a lectern with the White House just a few feet behind him.

Portis tweeted out “Bobby POTUS” as in President Of The United States— he was enjoying the moment, rightfully so.

Portis was there, along with his teammates from the Milwaukee Bucks, to be honored by the President and Vice President for their outstanding achievement in winning the 2020-2021 NBA Championship.

It’s customary for champions of American college and professional sports teams to receive an invitation to visit the White House to be congratulated personally by the current administration.

“We’re at the White House— a long way from Arkansas,” Portis said in comments captured and shared by the NBA.

“We’re at the White House, won a championship back in July,” he said realizing the surreal nature of the situation. “Every time a team wins a championship— football, basketball whatever it is— they get an opportunity to come meet the President and be in the White House. So, it’s a tremendous honor. I’m excited. I’ve never been here before and it’s going to be a great experience,” Portis said.

Portis and his Bucks look to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2017, 2018 and 2019.