Emoni Bates

[nolang1]

Only 14 years old but enough of a phenom that a thread is warranted to see how he progresses in the future. He's currently a high school freshman (class of 2022) and the one-and-done rule will almost certainly be finished by the time he graduates. He's been considered the #1 prospect at his age for quite some time and has gotten rave reviews (from people who are normally pretty reserved about players this young) at the USA Basketball minicamp this weekend. 6'8", long, and skinny so the Durant comparisons are inevitable.

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[GimmeDat]

I'm going to reserve most of my hype for anyone at 14 years of age, but I have to admit he looks extremely impressive for someone his age. Will definitely be a guy to keep tabs on.

[Upperclass]

Looks like a young KG

[nolang1]

http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/24933413/scouting-james-wiseman-cole-anthony-more-2020-nba-draft-prospects-usa-basketball

With the 2022 NBA draft potentially featuring high schoolers for the first time since 2005, evaluating the camp's youngest class held a little more importance than usual, and 14-year-old forward Emoni Bates looks like the ideal prospect to end the one-and-done era with a bang.

The 6-8 Bates turned heads all weekend, looking the part of a potential future No. 1 pick. Although you never want to jump the gun on a player so young, Bates appears to be the rare exception. A head-at-the-rim athlete with the agility of a wing and handle of a guard, Bates was also the camp's best shooter, cashing contested pull-up 3s with such fluidity and confidence that it was hard not to liken him to a young Kevin Durant. The majority of lean wing prospects model their games after Durant, but Bates -- who averaged 40 PPG as a seventh-grader and skipped his eighth-grade season to train -- has the talent to back it up.

[Justwar]

He's gotta stay healthy remain athletic and still gain weight to play d but otherwise someone to watch. I'd almost reclass up to get into a college weight room before hitting the new rule

[NotMyKawhi]

He's talented for sure, but I did watch a kid a year younger than him, dominate against him. That elijah fisher kid...he's a young man. Lebron james like

[Mischa]

How does he compare to Webber as a freshman. This is a statement not a question. I haven't seen as many Michigan high school players but I saw Webber as a sophomore in the Class C playoffs and he was the best I've ever seen at that age. And it wasn't even close.

Webber was another level IMO, because of the physical difference. With Bates, it's the combination of skill set and height at his age that grabs you. When I saw him this spring against The Family, he was the guy bringing the ball up... as a 6'7" 14 year old...and he looked natural doing it. Not to say he'll be a point guard but it says something about his ball skills. He can also shoot...like, legitimately shoot. If he adds another 2-3 inches, the Durant comparisons don't seem totally crazy. That's who I think he could be on the upside.

Now, in that game I referenced above, which was hotly contested, the big difference between Webber and Bates showed up as well on the negative side. He got banged around a lot and didn't always handle it well. To me, that's the one thing to watch for most with him over the next few years...how much good weight he adds. He doesn't need to become Xavier Tillman but he's got to get stronger and I suspect the odds heavily favor his doing just that.

[No-Man]

He filthy

[peachbucket]

Looks like a young KG

Well you got the K right but to me looks like a Durant clone....that crossover to the quick release jumper is pretty uncanny.

[kobyz]

Reminds me Ray Allen

[EMG518]

Keep tabs but way too young from my experience. We will see in a few years.

[gorz]

Still way too early to tell but he looks very talented for his age.

He could be anywhere from next quincy miller to brandon ingram to kevin durant.

[nolang1]

He's 3 years (maybe 2 if he reclassifies) from being the #1 pick in the draft, so it'll be interesting to see the point at which he magically becomes not too young to have an actual opinion on.

[ILikeLollies]

6"8" with a 6"8" wingspan.

Make of that what you will.

[King Ken]

6"8" with a 6"8" wingspan.

Make of that what you will.

That's my big issue as well. He might be the next Ray Allen with that wingspan but not the next KD.

[King Ken]

He's talented for sure, but I did watch a kid a year younger than him, dominate against him. That elijah fisher kid...he's a young man. Lebron james like

Fisher has this frame at 14 years old. OMG!

[peZt]

His arms don't look that short though. Might be because of his small frame. I'm sure his standing reach is above average

[King Ken]

His arms don't look that short though. Might be because of his small frame. I'm sure his standing reach is above average

I heard Nike's measurements could be 3 to 4 inches off. That does make a difference 6'11-7ft wingspan is nice. At his age, it's real nice. I remember KD being 6'7 at this time.

[NO-KG-AI]

Kevin Durant has been in the NBA since 2007, but we’ve already had 37 next Kevin Durants.


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[Marcus]

I like Emoni but its still suuuuuuper early. When the comp catches up to him i need to see the adjustments he makes to his game. Lot of skill though. My question for kids this good this early is if the confidence and success curbs the work ethic.