5-star forward Emoni Bates reclassifies to 2021 class, cuts list to 4

Five-star forward Emoni Bates is down to four options and he has also decided to reclassify from the 2022 class to the 2021 class, he tells On3.

Bates announced he was reclassifying on Wednesday afternoon. He also said his top options in no order are the NBA G-League, Oregon, Memphis, and Michigan State.

In July, the Ypsilanti (Mich) Ypsi Prep Academy star native cut his list to eight, but Overtime Elite, NBL, Baylor and Miami have been removed from the conversation.

It has also been assumed in most circles that Bates would indeed skip college and go pro, even before his commitment to Michigan State last year. It’s also important to note that Bates will not turn 19 until January 23rd, 2023, meaning he will not be eligible for next year’s NBA draft. This means Bates could be in college for two years, the G-League for two years, or a mix of something else. Either way, Bates has plenty of time to figure it out.

Let’s examine each of his four finalists.

NBA G-League

The G-League Ignite team saw success in its first year. Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga were both lottery picks. Isaiah Todd heard his name called a little later, at 31st overall. Daishen Nix did not hear his name called on draft night but has since been brought on by the Philadelphia 76ers to play on their Summer League squad.

The dollar amount Bates could earn playing on this Ignite program is unclear, but his counterpart and good friend, Jalen Duren, has an estimated contract worth approximately $1 million for one year playing for the G-League program.

Oregon Ducks

Dana Altman and the Ducks arrived late to the party for Bates, offering him a scholarship only 12 days ago. Despite entering the mix late, it’s obvious the Ducks have made up some ground by cracking Bates’ list. Dana Altman and Co. have been able to produce NBA talent in recent years with the likes of Bol Bol, Troy Brown Jr., Dillon Brooks, Payton Pritchard, and others.

Memphis Tigers

Playing for Penny Hardaway is intriguing by most top prospects considering the head coach is a legend in the eyes of recruits. Memphis has also brought on Larry Brown and Cody Toppert, both of which have high-level NBA experience. The Tigers are also targeting Emoni’s AAU teammate, Jalen Duren, another top prospect in the 2022 class. Sources indicate to On3 that Memphis is pitching a NIL deal partnered with FedEx, in order to lure in arguably the two top prospects in the class.

Michigan State Spartans

Bates committed to Michigan State in June of 2020. But earlier this year, he backed off from that pledge and reopened his recruitment.

Emoni Bates told On3 in April he had decided to keep his options open.

“I would like to thank Tom Izzo and the coaching staff at Michigan State but I have decided to reopen my recruitment,” Bates said. “I’m not sure what my future holds, but I am keeping all of my options open, both college and pro.”

It is definitely a rare occurrence for a recruit to recommit to a school that he’s back off from, but it is still possible.