FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • COMMERCIALAPPEAL.COM
Michigan native Emoni Bates may miss Memphis' next game but 'no plans' to leave, dad says Memphis basketball freshman Emoni Bates might miss Thursday's game at Cincinnati, but his father refuted a report suggest he plans to leave...
Father expects a 2022 return Bates intends to return to the court when healthy according to his father Elgin, Jeff Borzello of ESPN.com reports.
Impact It's been a rocky season for the supposed phenom to say the least. Bates has been in and out of the starting five and put forth inconsistent scoring efforts, even though he's third on the team with a 10.4 ppg scoring average. The latest development came Tuesday, when several accounts suggested that Bates was dealing with a back injury that would require him to see a specialist and force an absence from the since-postponed Thursday contest at Cincinnati. An early report from Jake Fisher of Bleacher Report even suggested Bates' time with the program may be over following the latest injury, though multiple reporters, citing his father's statements, refuted that notion just 40 minutes later. With conflicting reports and a situation that seems to have never been in harmony from the start, the basketball future of Bates appears to be anyone's guess.
FEBRUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with back pain Bates isn't expected to play Thursday at Cincinnati due to back pain and will see a specialist this week, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact Bates has apparently been dealing with the back pain for the past three weeks, and he's now heading to be evaluated by a specialist. Memphis has a quick turnaround Saturday against Central Florida, so if he misses any time a multi-game absence could be in store for the freshman guard
FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles to find shot Bates contributed seven points (3-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt), three rebounds and four assists across 26 minutes during Sunday's 83-81 victory over Tulsa.
Impact Bates struggled to find the bottom of the net Sunday, making just 30% of his field goal attempts. The freshman guard has failed to score in double figures in back-to-back games, below is 10.5 points per game average this season.
JANUARY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Continues to progress Wednesday Bates supplied 12 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 0-3 FT) and seven rebounds in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 74-64 loss to UCF.
Impact Bates came off the bench in his second game back after missing the previous three with a finger injury. The five star guard is averaging 11.0 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per game this season. Bates has started in nine games for the Tigers this season, as he progresses, expect him to return to his starting role.
JANUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Returns against Cincinnati Bates provided 12 points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal in 21 minutes during Sunday's 87-80 win over Cincinnati.
Impact Bates had been sidelined for nearly a month due to a finger injury, missing three consecutive games and not appearing since Dec. 14. He came off the bench for just the second time this season in this one, posting one of his more efficient stat lines and contributing across multiple categories for fantasy managers. After a tough start to the season, the Tigers are now 3-1 in AAC play, and the addition of a five-star prospect like Bates should come in handy with back-to-back road matchups on tap this week.
JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Warming up, should play Sunday Bates (finger) was spotted participating in pregame warmups and should be available for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Steven Johnson of The Daily Memphian reports.
Impact The star freshman has missed the past three games with the finger injury, but he looks poised to return to action Sunday. Through 10 games (nine starts) this season, Bates is averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.2 assists in 25.6 minutes per contest.
JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Practices Thursday Bates (finger) practiced with the team on Thursday but remains questionable to play Sunday against Cincinnati, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact Bates is a huge part of the Memphis' offense, and the team desperately wants him back in a matchup with a conference rival. The 6-foot-9 freshman has put up 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks on 25.6 minutes per game this season.
JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Memphis basketball freshmen Jalen Duren, Emoni Bates out vs. Tulsa Add a new name to the list of injured Tigers who will miss Tuesday’s game against Tulsa.
JANUARY 5, 2022 • COMMERCIALAPPEAL.COM
Will not play Tuesday Bates (finger) is dealing with a lot of pain and will not play against Tulsa on Tuesday, Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium.com reports.
Impact This news is unfortunate as it appeared Bates a decent chance of suiting up. He will get some added rest in with hopes of a return to action Sunday to face Cincinnati.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Still day-to-day Bates (finger) is still listed as day-to-day, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact Bates is a huge part of Memphis's offense and may still return on Tuesday. When he does return he should return to his great form.
JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Does not play Saturday Bates (finger) didn't play Saturday against Wichita State.
Impact Bates was expected to be a game-time decision but didn't see the floor, and as of right now, it's uncertain what will happen with him. According to head coach Penny Hardaway, there should be an update regarding Bates' timeline when the team gets back to Memphis, so this puts his availability for Tuesday's game against Tulsa in jeopardy.
JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Considered game-time decision Bates (finger) is a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against Wichita State, Steven Johnson of the Daily Memphian reports.
Impact Bates participated in warmups in sweats, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to play through his finger injury against the Shockers. If he's held out, Landers Nolley, Earl Timberlake and Lester Quinones could see increased run.
JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Gets in on practice, will travel Bates (finger) took part in at least a portion of practice Friday and will make the trip for Saturday's game against Wichita State, Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal repo...
Impact Bates missed the previous game with a finger injury, but he looks to be an option to take part in the action after just one game on the sidelines. Official word on his status should surface at some point prior to the opening tip.
DECEMBER 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Commercial Appeal Following Wednesday's 85-84 loss at Tulane, naturally much of Penny Hardaway's conversations revolved around the absences of Jalen Duren, DeAndre Williams and Emoni Bates.
DECEMBER 30, 2021 • COMMERCIALAPPEAL.COM
Officially ruled out Bates (finger) will not play in Wednesday's game against Tulane, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact This was expected after an earlier report Wednesday. Bates will get the night off to rest his finger and hope to return Saturday against Wichita State.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Appears to be out Bates (finger) is not expected to play in Wednesday's game against Tulane, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.
Impact There was a report earlier in the week that the coaching staff was expecting Bates to be able to return from a finger issue for the game Wednesday, but now it doesn't appear that will happen. Memphis will be pretty short handed with Jalen Duren and DeAndre Williams not traveling for the game.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Expected to suit up Wednesday Bates (finger) is expected to suit up in Wednesday's game against Tulane, Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact Coach Penny Hardaway said that as of now Bates' is a go, suggesting he will play if he avoids any setbacks. Bates is averaging 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers per contest early in the season.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with injury Bates would have likely sat out against Tennessee due to a finger injury even if the game was being played, Jason Munz of The Commercial Appeal reports.
Impact Bates will get some additional time to rest his fingerwith the Tigers canceling all games until Dec. 29. The extent of the injury hasn't been publicly revealed, so it's best to consider the freshman forward a question mark for the opening of convergence play against Tulane until something more concrete surfaces.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No game Saturday Bates and the Tigers won't play Saturday against Tennessee due to COVID-19 issues within their program.
Impact It's unclear how long the Tigers will be on pause, but Bates' next chance to play would be Tuesday against Alabama State should the team be in better shape at that time.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Tensions growing high in Memphis According to Seth Davis of The Athletic, it was Bates who asked coach Penny Hardaway to be removed from the starting lineup prior to Saturday's game against Mississippi.
Impact Things have gone from bad to worse for a Memphis team once thought to have Final Four potential, as the Tigers have now lost three games in a row. Per the report, tensions between the freshman and veterans in the locker room have grown high, and Bates' decision could have very well been made in an effort to smooth things over. According to Hardaway, "Everybody's trying to get to the NBA off the ranking we had, but nobody is willing to sacrifice minutes, touches, anything. It's been miserable." As for Bates, he was a late reclassification to the class of 2021 and entered with a ton of hype as a five-star prospect ranked in the top-5 by most recruiting outlets. The production hasn't necessarily followed, however. Bates was just 1-for-10 from the field in Saturday's loss, and is averaging twice as many turnovers (2.6) as he does assists (1.3) this season. There have also been struggles on the defensive end. Hardaway has plenty of time to get it figured out, and having too much talent is ultimately a good problem to have, but both the five-star talent and top-rated transfers will have to make sacrifices for the good of the team, and that's far from a sure thing at this point.
DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Coming off bench Saturday Bates isn't starting Saturday's game against Mississippi.
Impact Bates was part of the starting lineup in each of the first seven games of the season and averaged 12.1 points and 3.0 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per contest. However, Earl Timberlake will draw the start Saturday.
DECEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
