Michigan State Basketball: Could Max Christie sway Emoni Bates to 2021 class?

Max Christie was a monster addition to Michigan State basketball’s 2021 class, but can he help make Emoni Bates’ decision easier?

What a month it’s been for Michigan State basketball. You wouldn’t think that the dog days of summer would yield this much good fortune for a college basketball program, but that’s what happens when you land the No. 1 recruit in the country who has been touted the “best prospect since LeBron James”.

The Emoni Bates commitment was shocking but it was a nice pick-me-up for Tom Izzo and the Spartans who had just one pledge in the 2021 and 2022 classes combined (Pierre Brooks).

Now, Emoni has committed and a week later (eight days to be exact), five-star shooting guard Max Christie also committed. He’s the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2021 class and he joins brooks which will give the Spartans plenty of wing depth.

But Christie knows that Bates, who is currently part of the 2022 class, would be a huge addition to the 2021 class. The only problem? He has to officially reclassify.

According to Jason Jordan of Sports Illustrated, Christie wants to let Bates know that they would be unstoppable together as a wing duo.

"“If he were to reclassify, it would be great,” Christie said. “I mean both of us on the wing would be scary. That’s a lot of talent in one lineup, especially on the offensive end. If we commit on the defensive end and turn defense into offense it would be even scarier. I think we both have that mentality.”"

Christie went even further, stating that he’s going to reach out to Bates to talk to him about reclassifying. Ultimately, the decision is up to Bates, but Christie is putting in work.

Is Christie just what Bates needed to reclassify?

When a player considers reclassifying, there usually have to be double the pros to cons. On the pros side now is Christie. When Bates committed, the Spartans had just Brooks committed in the 2021 class, but if you add Christie to the mix, that already makes an elite group.

Add in new prep school teammate and four-star point guard Jaden Akins and potentially another reclassification option in Enoch Boakye and you’ll be looking at the No. 1 class in America.

Can Christie help convince Bates to reclassify? Absolutely. When you have the No. 1 shooting guard in the class in your ear, talking about dominating together and winning a national title, it’ll be very hard to say no and return to high school — especially when you’re on track to graduate early like Bates is.

Bates and Christie would make quite the duo but if anyone is going to convince the No. 1 player in the country to switch classes, it’s the No. 1 shooting guard.