Emoni Bates: The Best Player in High School Basketball 

What if I told you that the best basketball prospect of the past decade was still playing in high school? What if I told you that he has been dominating the high school game since he was a freshman? What if I told you he has won numerous national awards even before his junior season? That’s Emoni Bates, the best player in high school basketball.

Growing up in Michigan, Bates has been viewed as a top prospect since middle school by making his name on the AAU circuit. Bates attends Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and during his freshman season led Lincoln to its first state championship while averaging 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

Bates was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, AP Player of the Year, and First Team All-State. After a breakout freshman season, Bates proved that the hype was indeed real, and a much anticipated sophomore season was on deck. 

Bates’ sophomore season at Lincoln established him as the No. 1 player nationally in the Class of 2022. Bates averaged 32.3 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 50% from the field before the season was cut short. Bates was named MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, and Gatorade National Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to ever win the award.

Bates transferred to Ypsi Prep Academy for his junior season ,where he comes into this season as the favorite to win the MaxPreps National Player of the Year award among many other awards.

Bates is regarded as the top high school basketball prospect regardless of class, as well as even regarded by some as the best basketball prospect since LeBron James in 2003.

Bates is currently committed to Michigan State, but may choose to go straight from high school to the NBA if the rules are changed to allow it.

Drawing an NBA comparison to Kevin Durant, Bates is an extremely skilled offensive player who can score at all three levels, rebound well, and is versatile on defense making him an elite, can’t-miss prospect. 

Bates is plain and simple must-watch television. He will be one of the best basketball players in the world and on our televisions for many, many years to come.

Written by: Matt Melton