Emoni Bates

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

In first game since Dec. 14 after missing three contests, had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Cincinnati Jan. 9
Was named the AAC Freshman of the Week after first two games of collegiate career
Scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Tiger debut on Nov. 9 against Tennessee Tech

Born on Jan. 28, 2004, making him 18 the calendar year of the 2022 NBA Draft and therefore not eligible due to the 19-year-old requirement
Played junior season at Ypsi Prep Academy in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Reclassified to the Class of 2021
Was a consensus top-five, five-star recruit by every major recruiting service
Averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a junior in 2020-21
Started high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and helped the team to its first state championship as a freshman
Was named the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year
Followed up with 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year honors a year later, after averaging 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 steals per game that included a 63-point, 21-rebound outing
Before coming to Memphis, suited up with fellow Tiger teammate Jalen Duren on Team Final during the summer 2021 EYBL circuit
Two summers before, played on father's Bates Fundamentals 16U team at the 2019 Peach Jam and was named to the All-Peach Jam First Team alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga
Cunningham and Green went 1-2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Kuminga was picked No. 7
Chose Memphis over Oregon, Michigan State and the NBA's G League