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Top 2022 prospect Emoni Bates decommits from Michigan State

Halldan1

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Jan 1, 2003
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By ROBBIE WEINSTEIN

Just under one year after initially committing, the top prospect in prep basketball is back on the market. 5-star wing Emoni Bates, the No. 1-ranked player in the 2022 class, decommitted from Michigan State on Friday according to his Instagram, first reported by Tipton Edits. Bates acknowledged that he is considering professional options, an dhe figures to give strong consideration to turning pro right out of high school either with the NBA's G League Ignite program or overseas.

Bates has been widely considered one of the top high school prospects in the last two decades and committed to the Spartans and coach Tom Izzo on June 29, 2020. The Ypsilanti (Mich.) Ypsi Prep Academy star was held in check more than usual last weekend during AAU competition but still appears to be the strong frontrunner to go No. 1 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. At 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, Bates has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and Paul George.

247Sports national basketball analyst Travis Branham wrote Friday that it would not be a surprise to see Bates bypass college basketball.

"Bates has been regarded as the top high school prospect to come through grassroots in over the last decade," Branham wrote. "The future for Bates is reportedly open but it will comes as little surprise if Bates follows the footsteps of other elite prospects such as Jalen Green and go the professional route. Bates is a special prospect given his elite level skillset and terrific size for the position. He scores the ball well beyond the stripe and has made major strides in his playmaking ability."

247Sports recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins provided the following scouting report on Bates in February.

"Bates is a dangerous contested shot-maker who arguably is the best scorer in high school basketball," Jenkins wrote. "He can score in a variety of ways due to his ability to put the ball in the basket at all three levels. He is dangerous pulling up from deep in transition and has range that extends past the NBA three. Bates has a quick trigger and shoots over defenders with ease. He is unfazed when attempting jumpers with a high degree of difficulty due to his length, quick release, and touch. He also has instincts as a passer and will occasionally make the right find when a defense zeroes in on him.

"Defensively, there is a lot of potential there. He could be versatile on that end as he has the size, length, and fluidity to check multiple positions. Bates has multi-year all-star type potential in the association. Potential in which he displays while being extremely productive dominating the high school basketball scene in the scoring category.
 
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