Emoni Bates leaving Memphis for transfer portal after 1 year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Emoni Bates, the five-star recruit who reclassified to 2021, has announced he's entering the transfer portal after one season at Memphis.

Bates

The 6-foot-9 forward has been called a generational talent and projected as the No. 1 overall pick when he becomes eligible for the NBA draft after he turns 19 in 2023.

The Tigers earned their first NCAA Tournament berth in eight years with Duren and Bates.

But Bates, from Ypsilanti, Michigan, started only 13 of 18 games and averaged 9.7 points, fifth most for Memphis. Bates played a game against East Carolina on Jan. 27, then didn't play again for the Tigers until NCAA Tournament. He played three minutes against Boise State, then 12 in a loss to Gonzaga.

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