Former five-star Emoni Bates will move from Memphis after one season with the Tigers. Where could this prestigious talent go next?
Emmoney Bates has been touted as the next great basketball star, but his college football career didn’t get off to the start he wanted with Memphis.
Bates played 18 games, started 13 times. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while missing over a month of playing due to a back injury.
Now the little attacker is at the transfer gate and is looking for a new home.
Bates, who turned 18 in January, won’t be able to head to the NBA until next year. He could always spend his next year of development playing in the G-League but the most likely outcome would be to stay in the college ranks.
5 Reasonable Transportation Destinations for Emoney Pets
Michigan State Spartans
Tom Izu was one of the first college coaches to aggressively recruit Bates. The recruit once gave Michigan a commitment before falling back in favor of Memphis. Familiarity with Izzo and the program will be an added advantage for a Ypsilanti citizen as well as being able to go home.
Michigan Wolverines
Bates considered Michigan in his high school assignment and included the Wolverines on his shortlist before pledging to Memphis. Juwan Howard took his team to Elite Eight last year and made Sweet Sixteen this year. Bates can make his way home this way, too.
Oregon Ducks
Bates made an official visit to Oregon before committing to Memphis. Dana Altman is still in Eugene even though his ducks didn’t make it to the NCAA Championships this past season. However, if the Bates included Oregon among his favorites up to the wire one last time, he could take a second look at them.
Tennessee Volunteers
If Bates wants to live up to the comparison he often gets to Kevin Durant, he can look to Durant’s former college coach. Tennessee State Head Coach Rick Barnes helped develop Durant in Texas and has a proven track record of success.
Kentucky Wildcats
Bates can’t head to the NBA until next year, but he could capitalize on the Nile scene in a big way by landing in Kentucky. Blue Blood can give a player the NIL platform while head coach John Calipari specializes in players with NBA aspirations like Bates.
For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinions, and features, check out more from our FanSided college basketball section to stay up to date on the latest happenings.
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