Emoni Bates reclassifies to 2021, cuts to four options

By JACOB POLACHECK

Emoni Bates, the No. 2 ranked player in the class of 2022, has reclassified to the 2021 class and is down to four options, per Joe Tipton of On3Sports.

Emoni Bates has also reclassified to 2021. https://t.co/rEbAMQqmT9

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 4, 2021

Bates, the 6-foot-9, 200-pound small forward from Ypsi Prep (MI) Academy and the Bates Fundamentals AAU Program, is down to Oregon, Memphis, Michigan State and the NBA G League.

Bates decommitted from Michigan State in April.

.@BatesEmoni And @durenjalen are friends and former teammates with @TeamFinalEYBL

Both are still listing @Memphis_MBB and it’s not out of the question both COULD end up playing for Penny Hardaway pic.twitter.com/erOXAbDXO8

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) August 4, 2021

Bates is friends and former teammates with No. 1 overall prospect Jalen Duren, who is set to make his decision Friday. Both players have Memphis on their list.

He cut Overtime Elite and the Australian NBL among pro options, and, Baylor and Miami among college options from his previous list.

Hyped early as the next Kevin Durant when he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Bates hasn’t quite lived up to that so far but remains a very talented player.

Bates went for 22 points while leading Bates Fundamental to a win over Bronny James and Strive for Greatness on July 22 during the Nike EYBL Peach Jam before finishing 35 points and six rebounds in a loss to Nightrydas the following day.

Bates won’t be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2023 so will spend the next two seasons at one of the above locations.

Follow Jacob Polacheck on Twitter

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram

And Like ZAGS on Facebook