Quite the fall from grace. Former #1 can't miss prospect. Very odd.
Emoni Bates to Eastern Michigan
- Thread starter MWes11
- Start date
My wife once worked in that region, and told me locals call Ypsilanti "Ypsitucky" because of all the Appalachians who settled there after WW2.
So Bates has gone from a chance to play with Kentucky to playing in Ypsitucky.
So Bates has gone from a chance to play with Kentucky to playing in Ypsitucky.
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Yep, there’s even an urban dictionary entry for it:
A few thoughts come to mind on this...
1. Talk about your big fish in a small pond, BUT...
2. If he doesn't straight up dominate from Day 1 his stock will sink like a submarine with screen doors.
3. I imagine its a huge shot to your ego to go from #1 prospect/lottery projection/SI cover story to EMU, who hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 1998.
4. HE'S STILL ONLY 18??? He doesn't turn 19 until January 28, 2023.
5. This kid (and his father) have more issues than a magazine stand.
1. Talk about your big fish in a small pond, BUT...
2. If he doesn't straight up dominate from Day 1 his stock will sink like a submarine with screen doors.
3. I imagine its a huge shot to your ego to go from #1 prospect/lottery projection/SI cover story to EMU, who hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 1998.
4. HE'S STILL ONLY 18??? He doesn't turn 19 until January 28, 2023.
5. This kid (and his father) have more issues than a magazine stand.
I'd be excited if I was one of their coaches. The kid will be very good in time. He just had a mediocre coach with Penny.
Made a huge mistake going to Memphis .
Coaching has to be better. If he listens to his coach and works hard on his game, he will absolutely dominate that league. Has talent just needs to be humble and driven.
There’s a reason we quickly pulled interest. His dad is a cuckoo bird. Some things just aren’t worth the trouble.
Exactly. At UK, the ROI isn't there to bring in a guy like Bates knowing the issues. At EMU, you almost have to pull the trigger as that's the only way a kid like Bates is going to fall in your lap.
Looked like a Brandon Boston clone to me every time I saw him play.
My mom's aunt and her husband lived there. After they retired, they bought a place in Ocala, FL and spent the winters there. They'd stop and spend a night or two with us on the way down and on the way back. You never fully appreciate some people until they're gone. They were a hoot to be around when I was a kid.
I think Skal was plenty talented. Cal didn't use him properly. He's a face the basket big guy and Cal had him down in the post banging. That's my opinion on it. I'm not a Cal hater and that's not what this is meant as
I think it's pretty clear this guy, and probably his dad, are head cases. They likely chose Memphis because they thought he could go there and call his own shots. They thought they could control Penny, and they did for a while, but even Penny had to draw the line somewhere. I say that because this guy, being the #1 recruit for while, should have been able to succeed anywhere and should have been able to start anywhere. If he was willing to work and be a team player, that is. But it's pretty clear at this point he has no interest in working or being a team player. He sees Eastern Michigan as a place he can go and be in control of things. So, he can skip class, party, and then show up for games and start. Seems he plans to get by on pure talent and the coach at EMU wouldn't dare bench him. He figures he plays and dominates a mid-major conference and runs off to the NBA and gets PAID. From what I've seen of this guy, I wouldn't want him at UK for all the tea in China. Unless his attitude has been adjusted, maybe knocked down a few notches, he would be a cancer to any team. But who knows? Maybe he's learned some humility. For his sake, I hope he has, but I don't think I would risk it if I were a major D1 program.
His first problem was reclassifying. He was legitimately one of the few reclass guys that when the announcing team says “this guy should still be in high school”, he actually should be. He wasn’t ready to compete at this level and it’s probably done nothing but set him back.
I never saw the entitled attitude from Skal. He wasn't trouble with a capital T like Bates. He was just overhyped and not really ready for D1 when he came to UK. The talent was there, but he was rail thin and just struggled with the physicality of the game. I wish he had stayed another year and we might have seen a glimpse of his real value.
That’s what happens though when you have bad handlers. They push you to go prop before you are ready. I hate greedy parents who use their kids.
His mom and brother are kinda psycho from reports.
https://media1.tenor.com/images/2a6ddad8d94ebeaf86f23927036b8bf1/tenor.gif?itemid=12729807
https://media1.tenor.com/images/2a6ddad8d94ebeaf86f23927036b8bf1/tenor.gif?itemid=12729807
Lol I clicked this like a moron thinking it was going to be a story about them. Didn't even put it together till link.
But that is far from the truth. Skal was out on the perimeter a lot of the time that year. I very seldom remember skal posting up down low asking for the ball. Sure a 7 ft guy is gonna be down low attempting to rebound some of the time.
I don't think Penny used him right at all. Same with Minott. Minott ended up getting drafted and a guaranteed contract in the NBA. He looked great in Summer League.
I'm not sold on Bates yet as even a future NBA contributor, but I am curious how he will play in a new system, on a new team, under a different coach.
I'm not sold on Bates yet as even a future NBA contributor, but I am curious how he will play in a new system, on a new team, under a different coach.
Then I'm just not remembering correctly. Happens when you get older lol. But, that is how my dumbass remembers it
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I'm born and raised in Ocala. Didn't think I'd read about it on a message board.