Five-star center Jalen Duren announced his commitment to Memphis. How might his choice impact highly-coveted small forward Emoni Bates?
Memphis basketball is fresh off a championship in the NIT. They should be setting their sights much higher this year.
The Tigers just picked up the commitment of five-star center Jalen Duren, who also announced his decision to reclassify into the class of 2021. He’ll be able to join Memphis this fall.
Duren may not be the only top recruit who wants to play for Penny Hardaway either. Emoni Bates could be the next domino to fall.
Could Jalen Duren and Emoni Bates team up at Memphis?
Bates is a 6-foot-8 small forward who has garnered comparisons to Paul George. 247Sports recruiting analyst called him arguably “the best scorer in high school basketball.” He projects as a future Top 10 draft pick.
Like Duren, Bates has decided to reclassify to join the class of 2021. However, he won’t turn 19 until 2023, so he has to wait for the NBA no matter what. In the meantime, he has several options for his future.
Bates has a Top 4, including Memphis, Oregon, Michigan State and the G-League.
The 247Sports Crystal Ball predicts Bates will end up going pro via the G-League, but Duren’s decision could inform which direction Bates goes.
Duren heading to Memphis will make the Tigers a formidable force. Bates joining him would make that team a national title contender.
The two are already friends who have played together before. It would be natural for them to pair up to chase a championship together.
That doesn’t mean Bates will definitely choose that route. It’s on the table.
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