In what's not necessarily shocking news, Ypsilanti basketball phenom Emoni Bates, the No. 1 recruit in the country in the class of 2022, has de-committed from Michigan State.
Bates is reopening his recruitment and will consider both college and pro options for the next step of his career, he announced Friday afternoon on Instagram.
“I would like to thank Tom Izzo and the coaching staff at Michigan State but I have decided to reopen my recruitment,” he wrote. “I’m not sure what my future holds but I am keeping all of my options open, both college and pro.”
Bates originally committed to Michigan State last June, just a couple months after becoming the first sophomore ever to be named Gatorade National Player of the Year. But he acknowledged at the time he wasn't entirely sure about the road ahead.
"As of right now, I will be committing to Michigan State," he said.
Given the variety of paths to the NBA these days for elite high school players, including the option of getting paid in the G League for a year, Bates was never a lock for Michigan State.
He told ESPN at the time of his commitment that he wasn't keen on going to the G League -- "It's good for some people, but I don't think I'll head that route," he said -- but maybe his stance his changed.
Or maybe Bates has warmed up to the idea of playing overseas. Or maybe he simply wants to play for a college other than Michigan State. He also had offers from the likes of Michigan and Kentucky.
Bates, who turned 17 in January, isn't eligible for the NBA Draft until 2023. He's a junior at the basketball-centric prep school his father founded last year, Ypsi Prep Academy.