Top prospect in the Class of 2022 could be setting the stage for jump to the professional ranks.
Emoni Bates, the No. 1 prospect in high school basketball's Class of 2022, announced Friday via Instagram that he is no longer committed to Michigan State and considering options at the college and pro level.
Bates was a MaxPreps All-American this year despite an abbreviated season at
Ypsi Prep Academy (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and has long been considered the top player in the rising senior class according to 247Sports.
As a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 wing led
Lincoln (Ypsilanti) to a 19-3 record, averaging 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 steals per contest.
Bates appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at just 15 years old after leading Lincoln to its first state title in program history as a freshman, averaging 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.
In 2019-20, Bates became the first sophomore to win Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors. He was also named a first team MaxPreps All-American after earning fourth team MaxPreps All-American honors as a freshman.
So what's next for Bates?
A jump to the professional level seems to be the most likely move. Multiple paths for high school prospects to bypass college have emerged, including the NBA G League, which showcased straight-out-of-high-school talents Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Isaiah Todd this year.
Should he elect to play in college, DePaul, Florida State, Kentucky and Michigan could be options since they were involved in his recruitment prior to committing to Michigan State.
Emoni Bates in action for Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) during a January 2020 game at Eastern Michigan University.
Photo by Scott Hasse
