VIDEO: Michigan State Lands Much-Hyped 5-Star Recruit Emoni Bates
By Michael Luciano
Emoni Bates is thought of as a generational high school talent given his limitless potential, and the Gatorade Player of the Year has already made his anticipated college decision. In an appearance on SportsCenter, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2022 confirmed he will stay in his home state of Michigan, committing to Tom Izzo and Michigan State.
"As I do know right now, I will be committing to Michigan State University."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 29, 2020
Emoni Bates, ESPN's No. 1-ranked player in the class of 2022, announced on SportsCenter that he will be heading to East Lansing. pic.twitter.com/WdrG7R5tpc
Bates chose to stay close to home, as the product of Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti will go just an hour up the road to East Lansing.
Bates received a scholarship offer from DePaul in Chicago when he was just 13 years old. Since then, elite programs like Michigan and Duke made offers to the 6-9 forward, who has a sweet 3-point shot and the handles of a point guard a foot shorter than him.
Ultimately, Bates chose Izzo and the Spartans, who landed their first 5-star recruit since they lured Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. to East Lansing in 2017.
BREAKING: Emoni Bates, considered the best high school prospect in more than a decade, has committed to Michigan State.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 29, 2020
Izzo has developed a reputation for turning average recruits and afterthoughts into All-Americans and champions. The Spartans should expect a championship in 2022 now that Izzo is going to mentor a player who many consider to be the best high school prospect in decades.