Four years ago, 14-year-old Emoni Bates was projected as the next great basketball player. He was going to be a generational talent and was hailed as "the next Kevin Durant."
Between his eighth- and ninth-grade years, Bates scored 43 points on Bronny James' team with LeBron James watching from the sideline more than impressed. During his sophomore season, he became the youngest player to win the Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year award. Bates also received high praise from Dwyane Wade, Trae Young, Draymond Green and Jayson Tatum.