2022 No. 1 prospect Emoni Bates commits to Michigan State basketball

Bates could reclassify to the 2021 class, making him eligible to enter college a year ahead of schedule, but he hasn't made a decision on that front as of this week. 

Bates had offers from Michigan, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky and Depaul, among a list of others. Duke was the first school to extend Bates a scholarship when he was in eighth grade. 

The 6-foot-9 recruit has been lauded for being the top player in high school basketball dating back to his freshman year when he won the state championship. 

Bates is the first five-star prospect to commit to Michigan State since Jaren Jackson in 2017 and is the first No. 1 ranked prospect to do so in many, many years. 

In 2019, Michigan State finished third in the Big Ten conference with a 22-9 record. When Bates joins the program, they'll receive a significant upgrade and even have the opportunity to beat out Maryland and Wisconsin.