Remember when Emoni Bates committed to Michigan State basketball and it broke the internet?
Many believed he would go the pro route out of high school and skip college so he could make professional money while preparing for the NBA, but Michigan State fans were hopeful that he would remain committed to the Spartans despite all the money being thrown his way.
Unfortunately, the draw of the recruiting process was too much and he was too tempted and reopened his recruitment, essentially shutting the door on the possibility of a recommitment.
Bates eventually committed to Memphis where he played 18 rather underwhelming games as the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country and then hit the transfer portal following the year. He wound up back at home playing for the green and white -- Eastern Michigan.
In his one season with the Eagles, he averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and nearly upset Hunter Dickinson and Michigan early in non-conference play. He earned a look by the NBA and is currently in the Cavaliers' organization. However, he wasn't the unanimous No. 1 overall pick like he thought he'd be coming out of high school and some had to wonder if things would've been different had he stuck with Michigan State.
And from the sounds of it, he is also wondering that.
On Thursday, he posted a message on Facebook about his regrets from his younger days and how he wishes he could go back and do it all over again -- thanks to Andrew Cumbow for the find.
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) April 4, 2025
It's pretty clear that he has regrets of not staying with the Spartans and reopening his recruitment as a 16-year-old. He could've played for a Hall of Fame coach and potentially improve his draft stock, but he opted to take the easier route which was Memphis where he'd have the ability to essentially play how he wanted and now how he should with a team.
Bates said he understood the fans who do not forgive him for his mistakes but that he has grown and it sounds like he's drastically matured.
Fans should have forgiven him by now because that situation feels like a lifetime ago and the Spartans have moved on and got a Big Ten title out of that recruiting class (thanks, Jaden Akins).
Pretty wild to think that Izzo was close to having a class with Piette Brooks, Bates, Enoch Boakye, and Jaden Akins but the Senior Day for that group was just one guy.