Emoni Bates: The 15-year-old phenom ‘better than LeBron’ at the same age

It’s only every decade or so a basketball talent like Emoni Bates arrives — and scouts are freaking out about the limitless possibilities.

Emoni Bates. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

When the comparisons start with LeBron James — but also include Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant — the hype is real.

Emoni Bates is still just 15 years old and in ninth grade but he’s already being earmarked as the next generational basketball talent to follow in the footsteps of the game’s greats.

Named the Michigan high school player of the year after averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds a game while leading Lincoln to the state championship, the 203cm forward is doing things at an age few have ever done before.

“In the best freshman conversation, he’s 1,” a grassroots veteran told ESPN.com. “He’s better than LeBron as a freshman. Bron was good, real good. Emoni is dominant.”

Nice moment post game. LeBron James passing on some encouragement to sophomore Emoni Bates. #EYBLAtlanta pic.twitter.com/pgftCYDT7z

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) April 27, 2019

An ESPN.com poll of more than a dozen basketball talent evaluators ranked Bates third behind Kevin Durant and Greg Oden — but tied with Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis and ahead of Ben Simmons and Dwight Howard — as the best high school prospect since James.

You only have to look at the second name on that list — 2007 number one pick Oden whose career was ruined by injuries — to understand the danger of projecting too early.

But everything about Bates’ game should translate to the highest level.

Emoni Bates got himself a STATE Championship and he's JUST a freshman!! Future is bright for @BatesEmoni 📹: @EricGetsBuckets pic.twitter.com/7W0eaXbsuO

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 17, 2019

He has an incredible handle, exceptional length and perhaps most importantly given the way the game is moving the type of shooting range that’s drawing comparisons to Durant.

“It’s not like he’s bullying guys. He’s not bigger and stronger. Bates is damn near weaker than everybody and he’s killing them,” a recruiter told ESPN.com. “How he scores translates. He’s shooting 25-footers.”

“They say I remind them of Kevin Durant,” Bates told USA Today. “I like him. He’s a good player. I like his skill set, his frame. He’s able to score at will.”

Of course for every Durant there’s a Renardo Sidney — the standout 14-year-old basketball player in America in 2005 who never made it to the NBA.

Emoni Bates is slightly bigger than most of his teammates. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

But Bates — and those around him — say all the right things about his attitude. “He’s like Kobe,” one of Bates’ high school assistant coach’s told Forbes. “He has a killer mentality. If he has a bad game, he’ll tell his dad to take him to the gym and work on his ball-handling, shooting. Once his body grows, wow, it’s going to be interesting.”

I remember seeing a 14-year-old @KDTrey5 and got my first look this week at rising HS sophomore Emoni Bates. Comparisons at the same age are warranted. Both long, extremely skilled and talented. Will be fun to watch Bates’ development because KD became a killer on the court. pic.twitter.com/PpNSBBz46X

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 13, 2019

Projected changes to the rules around players looking to make the jump from high school straight to the NBA will likely mean Bates never plays in the college system.

That might create some difficulty on how precisely he can be assessed, but for now he’s more than on track.

“He’s very young and has a lot of maturing to do physically, but in my 20 years in this business he was as good as anybody I have ever seen as a freshman,” Rivals recruiting analyst Eric Bossi told NBC Sports after watching Bates at the recent Peach Jam. “His skill level, athleticism and ability to create a shot are way beyond his years and he plays with a fire and alpha mentality you don’t usually see in a 15 year old.”