Michigan State basketball Twitter absolutely melted on Monday afternoon following the sudden commitment of 2022’s No. 1 recruit, Emoni Bates.
What the heck just happened?
That question probably resonated with 99 percent of Michigan State’s fanbase on Monday afternoon as Emoni Bates appeared on Sportscenter to make “an announcement”.
No one knew what to expect and rumors were swirling that it was a reclassification decision, prep school announcement or even the hiring of an agent which would squash his college eligibility. None of those happened but it was actually a college commitment decision.
Out of the blue, the nation’s No. 1 overall high school basketball recruit — at any level — committed to Tom Izzo and Michigan State, noting loyalty as the main reason.
Since his middle school days, Bates had been on Michigan State’s radar and he spent plenty of time around the program. That all paid off on Monday when he stated that he doesn’t know what the future may hold for him, but he wanted to give his pledge to Michigan State if he does go the college basketball route.
Michigan State fans had no idea how to react to the sudden, shocking news.
Michigan State basketball Twitter was absolute on fire
As you can imagine, Michigan State basketball Twitter was set ablaze by the sudden commitment from Bates.
These were some of the best reactions to the news.
https://twitter.com/the_WaffleGuy22/status/1277663268211998725?s=20
EMONI BATES COMMITS TO MICHIGAN STATE. HOLY FORKING SHIRT BALLS.
— 6'3 215 (@Wil__Hunter) June 29, 2020
Am told Michigan State had no idea Emoni Bates’ commitment was coming until rumors started this morning.
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/_KBthegoat/status/1277664929823305728?s=20
EMONI BATES JUST COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE, AM I DREAMING?
— SpartanCenter (@SpartanCenterig) June 29, 2020
EMONI BATES TO MSU LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
— Jacob Schumacher (@Jacob_Schu_24) June 29, 2020
I'm still waiting on that Steven Izzo - Emoni Bates alley-pop combo! I NEEEEEED it. https://t.co/hTATMiPKUK
— Derek Blalock (@derek_blalock) June 29, 2020
Me when the emoni bates commitment was announced pic.twitter.com/w1tZ3BeiuL
— Thomas Zambiasi (@tzam2299) June 29, 2020
So with Emoni Bates Michigan State automatically wins March madness?
— Hoggard SZN (@DaddyHoggard) June 29, 2020
Emoni Bates to MSU. I can’t believe it actually happened. pic.twitter.com/Dn1aNmtdKj
— Joey D (@J_durnell12) June 29, 2020
I dont see Emoni Bates playing a day of College hoops but today im geeked lol pic.twitter.com/roQ9r2fMtv
— Phil (@PhilCashout) June 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/Alex13zo/status/1277664755134562304?s=20
me, post-emoni bates announcement: pic.twitter.com/Jx6t8zPE8G
— John Kirby (@john_kirby) June 29, 2020
My favorite part about Emoni Bates? He didn’t make this a spectacle. Just committed out of the blue.
— Ryan (@RyanMSU21) June 29, 2020
This was just a small fraction of the tweets from Michigan State fans that made the cut. “Emoni Bates” is the No. 1 trending term on Twitter so you can imagine just how long it took to scroll through and find the best of the bunch.
Even if he never plays a minute of college basketball, Michigan State fans feel like they won a big one on Monday afternoon.