Emoni Bates took the recruiting world by storm in 2021, as the Ypsilanti Prep product dominated the local scene en route to a consensus five-star rating, drawing offers from basketball powerhouses such as Michigan State, Kentucky, Florida State and Baylor before ultimately committing to Memphis to play under head coach Penny Hardaway.
2021 was an up-and-down season for the Tigers, with Bates making himself available in the transfer portal at season’s end.
On Wednesday afternoon, Bates, former 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year and 2021-22 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference selection, made the announcement on his Instagram page he’ll be coming home to Michigan to play basketball— at Eastern Michigan University.