The No. 1 ranked player in the 2022 class might be changing his mind on where he’ll take his talents come next year. Emoni Bates, who committed to Michigan State last June, may opt to play in the G League instead of making his way to East Lansing, as first reported by Brandon Quinn of The Athletic.
Bates would be following the footsteps of several upcoming lottery picks in the 2021 NBA Draft. Jalen Green, the top ranked played in the 2020 class, along with two other fellow five-star recruits, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix, opted to forgo college and play in the G-League.
Via The Athletic:
“Of all the sources interviewed for this story, those existing in and out of the Bates camp, no one seems to believe Emoni will play at Michigan State. Instead, Bates most likely will wait for a professional contract, probably the most lucrative deal the G League can muster, and turn professional before heading to the NBA.”
Jonathan Kuminga, formally of the 2021 recruiting class, reclassified to the 2020 class and also signed with the Ignite.
For Emoni, no change of heart has been announced on foregoing his commitment to Michigan State but his father told The Athletic that the decision is all in Emoni’s hands.
“Michigan State, that’s one dream. The NBA is another dream. I don’t know. At the end of the day, it’s Emoni’s decision on what he wants to do.”
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