Emoni Bates reclassifies to Class of 2021; top prospect considering three colleges, G League

Emoni Bates has decided to hit the fast-forward button on his basketball timeline.

The highly rated prospect told Stadium’s Jeff Goodman that he will reclassify from the Class of 2022 to the Class of 2021. Bates also noted that he is down to four options for his future: Memphis, Michigan State, Oregon and the G League. The Spartans remain on Bates’ list despite the fact that he decommited from MSU earlier this year.

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Bates shared his final four in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

Because he won’t turn 19 until January 2023, Bates will not be eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft under current league rules. As Goodman pointed out, that means Bates could potentially play two years of college hoops.

Regardless of where he lands, plenty of NBA scouts will be watching Bates as he continues to develop. ESPN draft expert Mike Schmitz once called Bates “the best prospect in the world, regardless of age.”

“He’s arguably the best NBA prospect I’ve ever evaluated — 6-foot-9, handles like a guard, can pull up from anywhere on the floor and has a star quality about him, a killer instinct,” Schmitz told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt last year. “So this kid has all the makings of a future No. 1 pick and a franchise-changing prospect.”