After a brief career with the Memphis Tigers, star freshman Emoni Bates has decided to transfer. In a statement shared to On3.com, the 6-foot-9 forward gave thanks for his time at the university:
I’d like to thank Coach Penny, my teammates, and the entire coaching staff at the University of Memphis for giving me the opportunity to be a Tiger. Thank you Tiger Nation for embracing me and all of you who supported our team throughout this season. With that being said, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.
BREAKING: Emoni Bates will transfer from Memphis, he told @On3sports.
Story: https://t.co/nDLKjAw8tD pic.twitter.com/4VU6fNrQoE
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 16, 2022
A former five-star recruit, Emoni Bates was the No. 1 prospect in the country before reclassifying and joining Penny Hardaway’s team a year early at 17. He missed 15 games as a member of the Tigers this past season due to a back injury.
In the games he did play, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 9.7 points per game, to go with 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
The writing was pretty much on the wall that this season would be Bates’ last at Memphis. It’s still surprising that Memphis was even able to land Emoni on campus; considering many didn’t believe the Michigan native would even consider playing college ball.
Not exactly a surprise. Emoni Bates out of Memphis after one season.
The big question is where does he go next …
Another year in college or G-League. https://t.co/ts5jcv9Bhw
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 16, 2022
Bates originally committed to Michigan State ahead of his junior year of high school, but ended up de-committing last April.
Emoni Bates has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant dating back a couple of years ago. The lengthy, lean forward has a clean shooting stroke and 40-inch vertical. With one coach going as far as saying he’s the same level shooter with a better handle than KD had at that age.
The post Former 5-Star Recruit Emoni Bates Reportedly Makes Decision On Basketball Future appeared first on The Spun.