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Emoni Bates has been named the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Bates is the first sophomore to win the award and beat out seniors Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley.

“Emoni Bates is the newest generational talent in the high school game,” ESPN national recruiting director for boys high school basketball Paul Biancardi said in a news release. “As a 6-foot-9 sophomore, he owns a slender frame with terrific length thanks to a 7-1 wingspan. His elite ball skills have a profound influence and impact on the game.

"His ability as a shooter, including his capacity to make contested shots, makes him unique. His gifts off the bounce, his court vision and his fast-developing basketball IQ stand out as well. A key separating trait at this early age is his ‘alpha-dog’ mentality. When his time comes for the NBA draft, we project him as the No. 1 pick.”

Bates averaged 31.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season at Lincoln.

Bates has drawn comparisons to Kevin Durant and is the projected No. 1 pick in 2022 if the NBA eliminates the age limit.

Via Omari Sankofa II/Detroit Free Press

This guy seems like he'll be a surefire star in the NBA.

FreshyFlames wrote:This guy seems like he'll be a surefire star in the NBA.

Definitely gonna have to gets some meals in in the meantime.

First guy I've seen that actually deserves and fits the kevin durant comparison. Also see a bit of PG in his game.

I pity the kid. By the time he's 23 he'll have played ~10 years of competitive b-ball at his height. Meanwhile late bloomers like Toppin or Rodman will have played 1-2 years of competitive b-ball at their final height when they reach 23.

Late bloomers tend to be pushed hard for the first time at the NBA level, when they are more mature emotionally and physically. As an early bloomer, the kid will be pushed hard by so many so early. Meanwhile a guy like Edy Tavares grows up properly on a quiet island and doesn't touch a basketball until he's 17 or 18.

popfan wrote:I pity the kid. By the time he's 23 he'll have played ~10 years of competitive b-ball at his height. Meanwhile late bloomers like Toppin or Rodman will have played 1-2 years of competitive b-ball at their final height when they reach 23.

Late bloomers tend to be pushed hard for the first time at the NBA level, when they are more mature emotionally and physically. As an early bloomer, the kid will be pushed hard by so many so early. Meanwhile a guy like Edy Tavares grows up properly on a quiet island and doesn't touch a basketball until he's 17 or 18.

He’ll probably crack under the pressure and flame out early like Lebron did right?