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Michigan State Basketball: 3 realizations following Emoni Bates’ decision

By Connor Muldowney

Emoni Bates was the National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020.2021-08-25 Emoni Bates
Emoni Bates was the National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020.2021-08-25 Emoni Bates /
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Feb 15, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; 2022 No. 1 basketball recruit Emoni Bates watches a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of a game at the Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; 2022 No. 1 basketball recruit Emoni Bates watches a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of a game at the Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Recruiting is a cruel beast

Recruiting is just cruel.

For years, Michigan State recruited Emoni Bates and hosted him for dozens of unofficial visits dating all the way back to his middle school days. He was around the team and in the locker room on numerous occasions and pretty much called East Lansing his second home.

Tom Izzo knew Emoni from the time he was getting ready for high school until he was the No. 1 player in the nation and no colleges were giving him attention because they assumed he was either going to Michigan State or the G-League.

When all other colleges were sleeping on Emoni in the recruiting landscape, Izzo was hard at work, attending his games, talking to him weekly, and hosting him for visits.

And then Emoni committed out of the blue and it was clear that Izzo’s hard work paid off.

Less than a year later, he de-committed and it seemed like the pro route was a given. That was until he announced a top eight with Michigan State, Baylor, Oregon, and Memphis along with some pro options. He narrowed it to four and announced he’d be reclassifying and some hope was restored within the MSU fanbase.

And just as quickly as hope returned, it was ripped away as insiders claimed the Spartans were no longer recruiting him and the relationship deteriorated.

Dozens of visits, a chance to go to his dream school, and close relationships with Izzo and a player like Gabe Brown all for nothing. Just like that, it all meant zilch.

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