NCAA Basketball: Update on free agent transfer Emoni Bates and his options

Where will Emoni Bates end up?

To be clear, I don’t have inside knowledge as to what the Bates camp is doing and probably they don’t either, considering how long this has taken. But based on the few conversations I’ve had and reading others’ works, I’ve created a new final 3 list of teams for him.

Eastern Michigan

Louisville

Memphis

All three give Bates something key depending on what he values most. Eastern Michigan lets him come back home and have a chance to star on a team and produce big numbers to get his confidence back. Memphis gives him some continuity and a better roster that should help his development, while Louisville gives Bates a fresh start somewhere else with a big role in the ACC.

Of course, there could be a “mystery team” that suddenly comes into the fold and make a different offer to Bates. And there are a number of power conference teams that either didn’t do well enough in the portal this offseason or believe they’re one piece away from jumping to the next level.

My (no inside info) prediction for Emoni Bates is that he ends up at Louisville. They have plenty of room for him on the perimeter, which is where he ultimately wants to be. And if that point guard dream remains for him, the Cardinals literally have just one ball-handler on the roster so Bates could play back-up PG for them as well. I reserve the right to change my mind if Louisville adds two small forwards in a week like Memphis just did.

One thing is for certain is that regardless of how good Emoni Bates actually is, he remains an interesting storyline for NCAA Basketball fans, and what he does next will make news. We just need to know what that move actually will be.