Akins out at Ypsi Prep
So, Detroit Free Press and all, but Jaden Akins is no longer playing with Ypsi prep and Emoni Bates. Was posted a week or two ago about the friction between the two and Emoni being a selfish ball player. Not sure that we would take Akins or that he would consider UM if he were deterred from MSU, but hard to be upset if Bates pushed him out of their class, especially if he was only going to skip college ball anyway.
https://amp.freep.com/amp/6512053002
No solid info regarding what happened in the article, but as always, fun to speculate. Have to believe Akins would be a take if we had space.
December 13th, 2020 at 11:30 AM ^
It would be beyond dumb of MSU to take Bates over Akins at this point. I think Akins will end up in their class and Bates goes the pro route IMO. Although it would be hilarious if this situation blew their chances with Akins and he ended up at UM.
EDIT: Saw below that Akins signed his NLOI, so he is going to MSU unless he goes pro.
December 13th, 2020 at 11:41 AM ^
I have to believe this as well. Bates is a great talent, but there’s a lot of drama there and it’s hard to believe he would arrive on campus with any other options to earn money and hit the league in the same time frame. Akins is a great talent and will probably stick around for 3-4 years and give MSU a career. As a program, that’s much more important than bringing in a one-and-done type, as we have seen with the blue bloods and even here at Michigan
December 13th, 2020 at 11:34 AM ^
Akins has already signed his LOI for MSU, so he's not going somewhere else. Word on the street is Izzo and co. have been supporting Akins in this.
December 13th, 2020 at 11:45 AM ^
Probably could have done a little research to see this for myself, sorry
December 13th, 2020 at 11:38 AM ^
I watched Bates play at Lincoln. He was no where near as selfish and cocky as he has been at Ypsi Prep. It seems the hype and having a fake school made up for him has gone to his head.
Akins is a very good player and MSU is smart to side with him. Bates and his father basically have shown that they are too good for college ball, and this more than cements the reality that he will never play a second in East Lansing
December 13th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
The whole Bates saga reminds me a lot of the Ball family. Honestly, this is the type of stuff I’m happy we don’t have to deal with much at UM (Josh Christopher and Isiah Todd being an exception to some degree)
December 13th, 2020 at 12:43 PM ^
I don't think those two cases are close to what goes on with the Ball/Bates Family. Sure, there was some recruiting drama with Christopher, but that seems more run-of-the-mill 5* basketball stuff than anything. And Todd got paid, can't blame him at all for that IMO
December 13th, 2020 at 5:27 PM ^
Right, that’s why I said to some degree because in one instance you have reality TV, in the other you have The Kardashians or Basketball Wives or whatever all that shit is nowadays
December 13th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
How many times you watch him play?? He hasn’t changed one but he acted the same at Lincoln
December 13th, 2020 at 1:16 PM ^
Probably 5 or 6 games but all were his freshman year
December 13th, 2020 at 11:50 AM ^
I watched Bates play at Lincoln. He was no where near as selfish and cocky as he has been at Ypsi Prep
He was still very selfish when I saw him play. I think it was just that Lincoln was so bad besides him, the rest of the team more willingly deferred to him compared to at Ypsi Prep where there is more talent and like you said, having your dad as coach and school made for you has likely gotten to his head
December 13th, 2020 at 1:06 PM ^
His freshman year (when Lincoln had a lot of seniors in the rotation) he was pretty unselfish, as much as you can say for a guy averaging 30 a game. He would pick his spots to take over.
Last year, after all those seniors were gone, he had to shoot a ton to carry the team.
December 13th, 2020 at 2:13 PM ^
there's absolutely no chance that emoni bates plays a single minute of college basketball.
December 13th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
1. It was already posted weeks ago that he was kicked out of Ypsi Prep
2. Akins is already signed with MSU
3. MSU has at least somewhat publicly taken Akins side
December 13th, 2020 at 11:51 AM ^
Sorry, didn’t see that he was “kicked out” just that he played when they went to Texas and not at the recent holiday tournament. Appreciate the insight, starting to feel like an ass for posting lol
EDIT: yeah, basically exactly what I have here, except a link to an article instead of insider info. Fail.
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-msu-basketball-recruiting-drama-between-emoni-bates-and-jaden-akins
December 13th, 2020 at 11:52 AM ^
I missed that, so this was helpful.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:02 PM ^
The sophomore point out of Cleveland looks good there at Ypsi. Don't think the odds are great he stays there for the next few years, but hope Juwan offers some tickets for him to stop by Crisler.
December 13th, 2020 at 12:05 PM ^
They didn’t go there to play school!!
December 13th, 2020 at 2:48 PM ^
I assume MSU will try to keep good relations with Akins; Bates seems like a difficult guy to play with and will likely be in the G-league before he plays for MSU.
December 13th, 2020 at 8:02 PM ^
Akin's is solid in MSU.
MSU is solid on Akins.
Bates has a 25% chance on playing college ball.
Not ready for NBA level play for 2-3 years, so remains to be seen.
Most MSU insiders doubt Bates ever sets foot on campus, and team would be better set without his style/effort.
No story, move along.