Five-star prospect Emoni Bates has committed to Memphis over Oregon and the G-League. The Tigers now have two consensus top-five prospects. Memphis now has the #1 recruiting class.
Bates was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and named National Gatorade Player of the Year, becoming the first sophomore to win the 35-year-old award. He did so after averaging 33.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Bates becomes the second highest-ranked recruit in Tigers history, behind only James Wiseman and Derrick Rose. He is the second 5-star Hardaway has added this offseason and the fifth since he was named coach in spring 2018.
Bates, 17, will not be eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft, which leaves open the possibility that he could be at Memphis for two seasons.