Ypsilanti – Emoni Bates was working hard on his game at Ypsilanti Lincoln on the final Friday in September after finishing his first month of high school.
Bates, a 6-foot-8 freshman, is the top player in the nation for the class of 2022, according to Future150.com. Michigan State assistant coach Mike Garland and Michigan assistant Saddi Washington each made a trip to Lincoln for an open-gym session to watch him work out.
Bates, 14, then traveled to Colorado Springs last week to participate in USA Basketball’s U-15 training camp, coming home this past weekend with news that he made the team.