5-star forward Emoni Bates reclassifies to class of 2021, down to four options

Emoni Bates is going to play high-level basketball this season.

The five-star small forward, originally from the class of 2022, told On3’s Joe Tipton on Wednesday that he will reclassify to the class of 2021. Bates is also down to just four options: the G-League, Oregon, Memphis, and Michigan State. Widely considered as one of the top two players in his class, the 6-foot-8 wing is rumored to be trending toward the professional route.

Emoni Bates has also reclassified to 2021. https://t.co/rEbAMQqmT9

— Joseph Tipton (@TiptonEdits) August 4, 2021

Bates initially committed to Tom Izzo and Michigan State on June 29, 2020, before backing off that decision on April 30, 2021. Don’t expect him to recommit, though. Since Bates decommited from the Spartans, eight different experts at 247 Sports have logged Crystal Ball picks for Bates to go pro.

The most interesting nugget about this decision from Bates is that he’ll be too young to enter the 2022 NBA Draft, meaning he’ll have to play at least two years at the college or professional level before making the next step.

This news does match up with the rumors that both Bates and fellow class of 2022 five-star, Jalen Duren, plan to reclassify to 2021 and play college or professional basketball this fall. Duren’s decision is set for Friday as he’s down to Kentucky, Miami (FL), Memphis, and the G League. There is currently no decision date in place for Bates.