NCAA Basketball: Potential value bets for 2021-22 National Player of the Year
By Ian Mumm
Emoni Bates (Memphis) +3000
Much fanfare has surrounded the recruitment and eventual signing of Emoni Bates to Memphis. He has received the most attention of any recruit in the last 3-4 years, as well as the expectations and pressure to go along with it. Whatever your previous views of Bates were, his skillset is ideally made to win awards such as the Naismith Player of the Year.
Adding to this factor, Bates and Memphis are a match made in heaven to accentuate his scoring acumen. Despite established options on the roster in Landers Nolley, Lester Quinones, and Deandre Williams, Bates will be the focal point of the offense. Preseason statements from the program have even indicated the 6’9” freshman wing will see plenty of reps at point guard to lead the offense.
Memphis should be a competitive team and secure a berth to the NCAA Tournament this season helping to further the narrative of who Bates is and what he can do. His length, shooting touch, and arsenal of moves off the dribble will help push him to become one of the most dangerous players in college basketball this season.
Due to the workload, he is likely to see for the Tigers, reaching the 20 point per game threshold is likely. Thus, if he does so in an efficient manner and finds ways to produce in other areas of the game, even without being among the elite, there’s a chance for him to take home the award.