Tag: emoni bates

Michigan State Basketball lands commitment of 2021 4-star PG Jaden Akins

4-star point guard Jaden Akins of Farmington High School has committed to Michigan State.

[jwplayer Ldhk5WMb]

As the great DJ Khaled would say: “Another one!” On Thursday, 2021 4-star point guard Jaden Akins announced his commitment to Michigan State Basketball, joining a star-studded recruiting class of him, Pierre Brooks, and Max Christie. There is also rampant speculation that top high school prospect and MSU commit Emoni Bates could reclassify to the 2021 class.

This moves Michigan State’s 2021 recruiting class up to the No. 4 spot in the country according to 247Sports. They are the clear top recruiting class in the Big Ten. Akins is the No. 10 ranked point guard in the 2021 class and between him and Pierre Brooks, the Spartans now have the two top players in the state of Michigan committed to the program.

Akins currently plays for Farmington High School and he is listed as a 6’3″ guard. He was also offered by Michigan, Iowa, Louisville, and Northwestern, to name a few.

The commitment of Akins solidifies arguably the hottest recruiting stretch of Tom Izzo’s career.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Michigan State Basketball now leads Big Ten in all-time 5-star recruits

Michigan State Basketball now leads the Big Ten in all-time 5-star recruits thanks to commitments from 3 different 5-star prospects.

[jwplayer hl7WagTb]

Heading into quarantine in March, Michigan State basketball ranked third among Big Ten teams for all-time 5-star recruits. Now, thanks to commitments from Emoni Bates, Max Christie, and Enoch Boakye, the Spartans rank number one among Big Ten teams for all-time 5-star recruits.

Check out a graphic below from Fox College Hoops.

The future is really bright for Michigan State basketball even when it comes to 4-star recruits. After all, the Spartans are still in the mix for 4-star Guard Jaden Akins. Keep in mind, Akins is joining Emoni Bates at Ypsi Prep Academy.

Be excited for things to come with men’s hoops in East Lansing.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

Max Christie plans to talk to Emoni Bates about reclassifying to team up at MSU

According to Sports Illustrated, 5-star MSU recruit Max Christie plans to talk to Emoni Bates about the possibility of teaming up at MSU.

[jwplayer s7XWZWNR]

In the span on nine days, Tom Izzo received commitments from two of his best recruits ever in Max Christie and Emoni Bates. Both players are clear 5-stars, one being in the 2021 class and the other slated to join the team in 2022. However, as we wrote about recently, there is a chance that Bates could reclassify. According to quotes given to Sports Illustrated, Christie plans to reach out to Bates and discuss the possibility of teaming up together in 2021 for Michigan State.

Here is what Christie told SI:

“I’ll definitely try to reach out to him and talk to him about reclassifying,” Christie said. “Obviously, though that’s his decision and I’ll respect it either way. I know that we could do special things together though.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Nassir Little doesn’t like comparing Emoni Bates to Kevin Durant

The Trail Blazers rookie believes Bates should have the opportunity to build his own identity without the comparisons to Durant.

[jwplayer KIUnpLSA]

Five-star prospect Emoni Bates, and the top-ranked player in the Class of 2022, announced this week that he has committed to play at Michigan State University.

Bates is considered to be perhaps the top high school prospect in over a decade and has often been compared to Kevin Durant. He chose Michigan State over other programs such as Duke, Kentucky and Florida State among others.

While he projects to have a bright future, the idea of comparing him to Durant didn’t sit well with Portland Trail Blazers rookie Nassir Little on social media. He believes Bates should have the opportunity to build his own name and so that he could potentially even one day surpass Durant.

Fans often love NBA comparisons when it comes to younger prospects. The practice gives those an idea of what a player could potentially reach, though it also has some drawbacks. If a particular player doesn’t reach those comparisons, then oftentimes they are labeled a bust or that they didn’t necessarily reach their full potential.

When it comes to Bates, who is widely considered a tremendous talent, Little wants to caution those to let him develop at his own rate and let him build his identity at his own pace.

[lawrence-related id=19102,15466,15324]

[vertical-gallery id=14282]

Draymond Green reacts to Michigan State landing top recruit Emoni Bates

Draymond Green was excited on Instagram after top high school basketball recruit Emoni Bates committed to Michigan State.

According to multiple outlets, Emoni Bates is widely considered the top recruit in the 2022 high school hoops class. On Tuesday, the Michigan high school product announced where he would play college basketball.

In an announcement on ESPN, Bates committed to Tom Izzo’s program at Michigan State. After the consensus five-star recruit made his commitment, a familiar Spartan alum shared his excitement. In an Instagram story, Draymond Green cheered on the newest “Spartan Dawg.”

Via @Ali_Thanwalla on Twitter:

(Warning NSFW language)

The 6-foot-9 forward played the first two seasons of his high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In back-to-back seasons, Bates was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year. As a junior, Bates will join Ypsi Prep Academy in Ypsilanti.

Watch highlights from Bates’ high school mixtape via YouTube:

Getting a shoutout from Green is a good start for the young recruit’s Michigan State career. Before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus, Golden State’s three-time All-Star had his No. 23 jersey retired at a ceremony in East Lansing.

[lawrence-related id=28685,27791,25608,19194]

College Basketball Analyst Mark Titus reacts to Emoni Bates commitment to Michigan State

Mark Titus, of the Titus & Tate podcast, took to Twitter to give his thoughts on Emoni Bates verbally committing to Michigan State.

[jwplayer ofLF0moh]

For anyone living under a rock, Emoni Bates shocked the world by verbally committing to Michigan State earlier this week. The reactions have poured in all over social media, from fans and analysts alike.

Fox College Hoops Analyst Mark Titus, of the Titus & Tate podcast, gave his take on the Bates situation via Twitter.

Check out his thoughts below:

Titus said Michigan State was the only school that had a shot at Emoni Bates. He also mentions this commitment is a huge deal for the Big Ten. Guess what? He is 100% correct.

Usually, No. 1 recruiting prospects commit to Duke, North Carolina, or even Kansas but not Big Ten teams. Emoni Bates is hailed as the best high school basketball player since LeBron James. The best high school basketball player since LeBron James will be playing at Michigan State, if he actually plays any college basketball. Ladies & gentlemen, get hype.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz calls Emoni Bates ‘best NBA prospect in the world’

NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter to discuss the recent Emoni Bates commitment to Michigan State.

[jwplayer mZulXqOp]

Two days ago, high school basketball prodigy Emoni Bates shocked the world by committing to Michigan State basketball on ESPN’s flagship show, Sportscenter. Now, basketball experts from all over the industry are commenting on this huge commitment and what it means for Michigan State.

Just last night, ESPN NBA Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter to discuss the commitment of Bates during the “1 Big Thing” segment.

Check out this clip below:

Scott Van Pelt introduced Emoni Bates as a generational talent. Mike Schmitz went on to say Bates is the best NBA prospect that he has ever evaluated and a “franchise-changing player”.

Scott Van Pelt also made a point about Bates’ commitment and the impact it has on Michigan State’s recruiting efforts going forward. After all, establishing a connection with a player like Emoni Bates is no small feat.

What an amazing week for Michigan State basketball fans.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]

How Emoni Bates could play for Michigan State for two years

While some are skeptical that Emoni Bates will ever suit up for MSU, there is a path for him to play two years for the Spartans.

[jwplayer rDH0bFZm]

Yesterday, Emoni Bates, the top high school basketball prospect in the country, made a lot of Michigan State Basketball fans extremely happy after he announced his commitment to the Spartans. Pessimists immediately chimed in, saying that Bates would never play for the Spartans and would instead end up going the pro route. While that’s not outside the realm of possibility, there is actually a very clear path to Emoni playing two years for MSU. Here is how:

  • Emoni and his father Elgin Bates have heavily indicated that there is a possibility for Bates to forego his senior season and reclassify to the 2021 recruiting class, where he would join Pierre Brooks II.
  • As of right now, you have to be 19 to enter the NBA draft. There was a lot of speculation, much of it around Bates, that the NBA would lower that age requirement to 18, but those talks seem to have stalled. If the rule isn’t changed, Bates wouldn’t be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2023, which would give him two full years at MSU before being draft-eligible.
  • If Bates does reclassify, he wouldn’t be eligible for the NBA’s G League until 2022, so he would have one season at Michigan State. If he does stay at his new Ypsi Prep School until 2022, he could be swayed to join the G League, but if the NCAA allows players to make money off their name and likeness, he could make millions from endorsement deals while still attending MSU. Michigan’s House of Representatives approved a plan to allow college athletes to earn compensation from their likness, it just needs to be passed in the Michigan Senate.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Locked On Spartans Podcast: Reacting to the Emoni Bates commitment like adults

What does it mean that the top high school basketball prospect in a decade has committed to Michigan State?

[jwplayer DYUZYpdN-er0jUifI]

A day after hooting and hollering in celebration, Wil and Matt dive into what it means that Emoni Bates committed to Michigan State and what the path to him ultimately ending up in EL looks like.

You can find the episode on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=516986277]

Five-star prospect, and the top-ranked …

Five-star prospect, and the top-ranked player in the Class of 2022, Emoni Bates will be attending Michigan State University, he announced Monday afternoon on SportsCenter. Bates is considered to be perhaps the top high school prospect in over a decade and has often been compared to Kevin Durant. He chose Michigan State over other programs such as Duke, Kentucky and Florida State among others.