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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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Ypsi Prep forward Emoni Bates (21) runs back to play for defense after dunking against SPIRE Academy during the second half at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, Saturday, March 13, 2021.
Ypsi Prep forward Emoni Bates (21) runs back to play for defense after dunking against SPIRE Academy during the second half at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, Saturday, March 13, 2021. /

1. Hometown kid who grew up loving MSU won’t help Izzo win No. 2

This was the harshest of all the realizations because just a handful of months ago, we were all looking at Emoni Bates’ commitment to Michigan State as Tom Izzo’s best chance to win No. 2 and ride off into the sunset. Emoni was supposed to be the hometown hero.

That clearly didn’t happen.

With his commitment to Memphis, all the hard work Izzo and Co. did in his recruitment went right out the window and what had looked like the perfect scenario has since faded.

The hometown kid who grew up loving Michigan State and who had formed a solid bond with Izzo at a young age and spent time around countless Spartan teams and became the nation’s top recruit would no longer be helping the Hall of Fame head coach’s quest for No. 2.

That hurts.

Emoni could end up being a generational talent which is what he was dubbed a couple of years ago or he could end up being a bust. Either way, we’ll never know what type of impact he would have had on 2021-22 Michigan State and a possible title run.

Losing out on a kid that was pretty much MSU’s to lose doesn’t feel great.

dark. Next. How do MSU's 2021 position groups compare to 2020?

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