Emoni Bates, the top-ranked recruit in the 2022 recruiting class has been committed to Michigan State since June, but is reportedly eyeing an alternative to the college ranks before ascending to the NBA.
According to Brendan Quinn of The Athletic, the expectation is that Bates will skip college and seek the “most lucrative deal the G League can muster” before entering the NBA draft.
Bates committed to Michigan State over offers from DePaul, Florida State, Kentucky and Michigan. Many of college basketball’s elite programs opted not to recruit Bates with him making the jump into the professional ranks right out of high school a likely option for the 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward that has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant.
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“Extremely thin but has great length for such a skilled player. Plays with strength, though, and doesn’t avoid contact,” 247Sports’ Jerry Meyer said in his scouting report of Bates. “Quick twitch athlete who moves feet well and is quick off the floor. Elite three-level scorer. Has deep range off catch or dribble. Can score in a multitude of ways.
“Handles well, has plethora of moves and can attack either direction. Has a feel as a passer. Dangerous offensive rebounder. Good defensively when focused. Has defensive versatility. Elite, elite prospect.”
