Emoni Bates is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and is viewed by some as the best prospect since LeBron James. Instead of suiting up for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans as initially expected, many believe he will take the G League route in a bid to prepare for the draft.
Via Brandon Quinn at 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.
Bates garnered interest from a number of prestigious Division 1 basketball programs in Michigan, Duke, and Michigan State by the end of his first season in high school. He ended up committing to the Spartans back in late June 2020 and eventually became their highest-ranked recruit in program history.
As a sophomore, the 6-foot-8 swingman became the youngest player to be hailed as the Gatorade National Player of the Year. After playing two seasons with Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Bates then followed his father and opted to play for Ypsi Prep Academy for the two remaining years of his high school eligibility.
Other blue-chip prospects are already starting to take this route in the G League, specifically playing for the Ignite team led by head coach Brian Shaw. Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Isaiah Todd all decided to forego playing collegiate basketball and took their talents straight to the developmental league. They are currently facing stiffer competition against former NBA players and fellow aspirants in the ongoing proceedings in the Orlando bubble.
After seeing a number of top prospects showcase their skills in the G League, it wouldn't be surprising to see Emoni Bates follow suit and go that route come 2022.
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