Michigan State Basketball: 3 instant benefits from landing No. 1 recruit Emoni Bates

2. Recruiting gets gigantic boost

This might be the most obvious immediate benefit from landing Emoni Bates. Not only does it help the recruiting class that he’s part of, but every other class will also get a boost.

When recruits see that the No. 1 player in the country wants to play for Tom Izzo, they’ll jump at the opportunity to follow those footsteps. Not only will that help in-state recruiting with guys who want to play with Emoni, but also Izzo will be able to venture out of his footprint and land kids from all over the country.

Izzo was given one heck of an endorsement by Bates with his commitment on ESPN. He made it a nationally-televised event, promoted the MSU program and said that Izzo was extremely loyal and the program made him feel wanted. What recruits wouldn’t like that?

We are already seeing the immediate benefits of landing Bates with Jaden Akins joining his Ypsilanti Prep team and Max Christie trending toward the green and white. What about after the 2021 class (assuming Bates reclassifies)?

The 2022 group could watch Emoni flourish and want to join that system because they feel like Izzo would make them even better.

Whenever a program lands a No. 1 overall player, the benefits on the recruiting trail are immediate.