Emoni Bates Makes Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers Instant NCAA Final Four Contenders

(Photo : Steve Dykes/Getty Images) PORTLAND, OREGON - Head coach Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers speaks to his team before the game at Moda Center on November 12, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. Oregon won the game 82-74.

Memphis' bid to reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2008 got a major boost on Wednesday when top high school prospect Emoni Bates announced his commitment to join Penny Hardaway's basketball program. Bates made the move to the Tigers a day before the school's deadline for enrollment for the fall semester.

Bates took to social media for his school reveal, saying, "I will be taking my talents to Memphis" during his Instagram Live broadcast. He then donned a Tigers baseball cap as a small group of family and supporters showered him with cheers and confetti.

Bates ready to turn up for Memphis fans

After his announcement, Bates talked to Stadium's Jeff Goodman and The Field of 68's Rob Dauster to further explain his decision, saying that he just felt like coach Penny could prepare him for the next level. Bates was also glad that the recruiting process was over and that he can now turn his attention to playing basketball, saying, "I'm ready. I'm about to lock in even more. I'm about to go turn up my Tiger fans."

Emoni Bates, the No. 3 overall recruit in ESPN's 2021 rankings, has committed to Memphis 🔥@BatesEmoni | @Memphis_MBB pic.twitter.com/s2zUud1E2l
— ESPN (@espn) August 25, 2021

The Ypsilanti, Michigan native is one of the prized prospects in this year's class, with ESPN 100 even ranking him third in their high school list. Bates initially committed to Michigan State last summer, but he surprisingly decided to open his recruitment again to other interested schools back in April.

Bates then announced earlier this month that he was reclassifying into the 2021 class and has narrowed his list to just four options. Michigan State was still on the list, but Memphis and Oregon now joined the Spartans, with Bates taking visits there this week. Bates also left the door open for a pro stint in the G League.

Bates joins loaded Tigers squad

In the end, Bates decided to join the Tigers, who have been assembling quite a cast for the upcoming NCAA season. Hardaway's top acquisitions this offseason are Jalen Duren, Johnathan Lawson, Josh Minott, and four-star center Sam Onu.

Bates will be the main draw for this Memphis team, with the 17-year-old already drawing comparisons to NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Bates rose to prominence in 2019 when he won the National Gatorade Player of the Year, averaging 33.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game during his sophomore season to become the first second-year player to capture that coveted prize.

Memphis is becoming quite a destination not only for top high school prospects but former NBA players as well. Rasheed Wallace announced on Thursday that he is joining Hardaway's staff as an assistant coach, making the Tigers the team to watch this season.