Emoni Bates has committed to the University of Memphis and head coach Penny Hardaway.
Penny Hardaway wasn’t content with just one five-star player in his 2021 recruiting class. The Memphis head coach now has two.
Five-star small forward Emoni Bates revealed his decision to commit to Memphis on Wednesday evening. He adds yet another explosive player to an elite recruiting class for the former Orlando Magic sharpshooter turned Tigers head coach.
Emoni Bates has committed to University of Memphis.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 25, 2021
Bates is the No. 4 player in the class of 2021, per the 247Sports composite rankings. At 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, he is the top small forward available with a lofty comparison to Paul George.
With scoring touch to be reckoned with, Bates had his choice of college programs, including Michigan State and Oregon. He also could have gone the pro route and joined the G-League. Instead, he picked the Tigers.
Emoni Bates is joining Penny Hardaway’s loaded Memphis recruiting class
Bates will attempt to solidify his stock as a potential Top 10 NBA Draft pick. He’ll be joined by Jalen Duren, the five-star center who also committed to the Tigers instead of jumping to the pros. Duren is the No. 5 player in the class of 2021.
While they’re young, Bates and Duren should ensure Memphis is a title contender in college basketball this coming season, especially with other talented additions in the transfer portal. Few teams out there will have such talented pro prospects on the floor together.
Of course, that means the pressure will be on the pair to hit the ground running at the college level.
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