Michigan State goes three deep for 2022 star Emoni Bates | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Thursday / March 28.
  • Michigan State goes three deep for 2022 star Emoni Bates

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    By ADAM ZAGORIA

    Depending on what happens with the NBA’s age limit, Emoni Bates may never spend a day in college.

    The Class of 2022 star has been compared to a young Kevin Durant — and may go straight from the preps to the pros if the one-and-done rule is collectively bargained out by 2022, as I wrote in this Forbes.com piece over the summer.

    But for now, head coach Tom Izzo and his staff are actively recruiting the Michigan native — in case he does end up in college three years from now.

    The 6-foot-8 Bates will take an unofficial visit to Michigan State this weekend after taking one to Michigan last weekend, his father said.

    Asked what Michigan State’s message was, Elgin Bates, Emoni’s father, said, “Keep doing what we’ve been doing. [They are] very impressed with the work ethic and focus.”

    It may turn out that Bates never spends a day on a college campus. Or if the rule doesn’t change, he may end up going to college.

    For now, he and his family are enjoying being recruited — and Michigan State is putting in the work.

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    Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.

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