On Tuesday afternoon word began to spread that Emoni Bates could soon commit to Kenny Payne and the Louisville basketball program.
Bates would be the biggest commitment yet for Kenny Payne and his commitment will serve as notice that Louisville basketball is here to play, now. Bates is the top-rated player in the transfer portal and a former 5-star, consensus #1 overall player. And, he is still considered by many to be an NBA lottery pick. So, what is all the fuss about?
Emoni Bates has been a household name in basketball circles since he was in middle school. In fact, he was quoted today as saying he and Kenny Payne have had a relationship since Bates was in the 7th grade. Even as recent as November of 2020, there were rumblings that if he were eligible, Bates could be the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Bates was labeled then as the next “can’t miss” prospect, and for good reason. He is listed at 6’ 9” and 190 lbs with guard skills. He is a three-level scorer with great range and the ability to put the ball on the deck to get to his pull-up game. The one knock on Bates is his athleticism; however, with his length and skill set, elite athleticism is not a necessity.
Brandon Jenkins of 247 Sports, and Bates’ primary evaluator, said the following about Bates: “Bates is a dangerous contested shot-maker who arguably is the best scorer in high school basketball. He can score in a variety of ways due to his ability to put the ball in the basket at all three levels. He is dangerous pulling up from deep in transition and has range that extends past the NBA three. Bates has a quick trigger and shoots over defenders with ease. He is unfazed when attempting jumpers with a high degree of difficulty due to his length, quick release, and touch. He also has instincts as a passer and will occasionally make the right find when a defense zeroes in on him. Defensively, there is a lot of potential there. He could be versatile on that end as he has the size, length, and fluidity to check multiple positions. Bates has multi-year all-star type potential in the association. Potential in which he displays while being extremely productive dominating the high school basketball scene in the scoring category.”
Bates committed to Michigan State in June 2020 as a junior. At the time, he was ranked as the consensus #1 player in the 2022 class. However, in April 2021, he decommited from Michigan State and flirted with the idea of turning pro before deciding to reclassify to the 2021 class and play for Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Even after he reclassified, Bates was ranked the #5 overall player in the 2021 class behind the likes of Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, and Shaedon Sharp.
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Bates’ freshman campaign at Memphis was up and down. He averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds, and one assist per game, but those numbers were impacted by the fact that he played in only 16 games due to a back injury. Bates missed the last 12 games of the regular season and the AAC tournament. Memphis was 11-8 when Bates went out with injury, but won 10 of its final 12 games without Bates. This created a narrative that Memphis was better without Bates, and, in February, there were reports that Bates may leave the team. Bates did not leave the team and returned NCAA Tournament recording a combined 15 minutes in Memphis’ two tournament games.
Despite his rocky freshman season, Bates is still viewed as a potential lottery pick. Bates is only 18 years old and has loads of potential. He needs to add weight and strength, but most 18-year-olds do. It will be interesting to see how Kenny Payne uses Bates but, given the current roster, Bates will be given the opportunity to handle the ball and run offense. Bates is most comfortable with the ball in his hands and can find teammates or create his own shot. Louisville needs combo guards, and, at his best, Bates is a 6’ 9” match-up problem.
The hope for Louisville fans is that Kenny Payne, Nolan Smith, Danny Manning, and Josh Jamieson can unlock Bates’ potential. If anyone can do it, it’s the Louisville staff. Payne, Smith, and Manning are all accomplished players with national championships to their names. Bates would bring star power to the Cards roster and a marquee name in Payne’s first season. With the ability to play both guard and on the wing, Bates would give the staff another ball-handler and a guy capable of scoring every time he touches the ball. There’s concern about his willingness to share the rock as well as the ability to not turn the ball over. But regardless, with a new staff and fresh start Bates could hit big at Louisville.
They all have also coached and developed top prospects who have dealt with off-the-court distractions. There is no reason to think that Kenny Payne and the Louisville basketball program couldn’t do the same with Bates.
Things are really looking up for LOU basketball. An Elite 8 finish or even higher?