2022's No. 1 player Emoni Bates wins major award, discusses latest
Rivals.com's No. 1-ranked player regardless of class, Emoni Bates continues to rack up accolades.
On Tuesday, the 6-foot-8 small forward at Lincoln (Mich.) Ypsilanti became the first sophomore ever to win one of high school basketball's most prestigious awards, the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
"It feels really good to get this award," Bates told Rivals.com. "Especially being so young and being recognized is a real honor.
He had to beat out some pretty hefty competition from the likes of 2020's No. 1 and No. 3- ranked players Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley.
"I’m just motivated to keep working and trying to get better every single day," Bates said. "Just being recognized with guys like Evan and Cade is great. It helps my confidence a lot. I mean, I’m already confident but this boosts my confidence a little bit."
After winning a state title and Gatorade State Player of the Year as a freshman, Bates upped his game in year two of high school by averaging 32.4 points and nine rebounds per game.
Fans, journalists, mixtape companies and more follow his every move, but Bates does his best to stay grounded.
"I just try to stay off of social media," said Bates. "That's the main thing, I try to stay away from getting a big head from stuff like that."
One of the most intense players that Rivals.com has ever seen, Bates models his game after another former Gatorade Player of the Year, Kobe Bryant, and it helps him to get an edge.
"It's like something that has been built in me, I have a different type of mentality," Bates said. "I watched a lot of Kobe growing up and seeing how he carries himself, that's who I model my game after.
Duke, DePaul, Kentucky, Michigan and Michigan State are among those who have had early involvement with Bates recruiting but he's not focusing very much on a potential college destination.
"I really don't pay attention to that," said Bates. "I think people that pay too much attention to it, they aren't as focused and are maybe doing something wrong so I don't pay much attention to it. I've been to Michigan State and Michigan. The visits were fun."
Ultimately, there's a much bigger decision that will eventually need to be made. The NBA may start allowing high school players to enter the draft directly out of high school by the time Bates graduates in 2022. Even if that's not yet an option, there are other professional opportunities and many expect Bates to consider those options.
"To be honest, I don’t even know yet," said Bates. "Only time will tell. I’m just going into my junior year so I still have plenty of time. If I have to go play a year in college, that’s what I’m going to do. If I can go straight to the league, then that’s what I’m going to do. Of course I want to play in the NBA. That’s been my dream."
