Expert says Syracuse basketball should target Memphis transfer, 5-star big

Looking ahead to the 2022-23 season, Syracuse basketball will have multiple forwards on its roster, including current freshman Benny Williams and several 2022 commits.

However, I would imagine that the Orange coaching staff continues to monitor the transfer portal to potentially add another player or two for its 2022-23 line-up.

The ‘Cuse missed out on Syracuse-area native Quincy Ballard, a sophomore center who considered the Orange but has elected to transfer from Florida State to Wichita State.

A former top-flight prospect in the 2021 recruiting cycle has decided to enter his name into the NCAA’s transfer portal, and a college basketball expert thinks that Syracuse basketball could possibly make a good fit for him.

According to media reports, Memphis freshman forward Emoni Bates has hit the transfer portal. During the 2021-22 stanza, his first term with the Tigers, the 6-foot-9 Bates appeared in 18 games, while averaging 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists, per ESPN.

Let’s see if Syracuse basketball reaches out to Memphis transfer Emoni Bates.

In a recent article on the Busting Brackets Web site, which is a sister FanSided publication of Inside The Loud House, college basketball expert Tristan Freeman explores 10 college squads that he believes should target Bates, including the ‘Cuse.

"Freeman, who is among the best in the business in covering college basketball, wrote in part regarding the Orange, “This is a team that could use a couple of impact transfers and Bates is the type of forward scorer that can succeed offensively and he’ll have a lot of shots in this offense.”"

Bates, who has all kinds of NBA potential, missed a good chunk of the 2021-22 campaign for Memphis due to injury. The Tigers, by the way, compiled a 22-11 overall mark this past season.

In this spring’s NCAA Tournament, Memphis received a No. 9 seed. It defeated No. 8 seed Boise State in the round of 64 before giving No. 1 seed Gonzaga a big-time scare in the round of 32, but the Tigers lost by four points.

As a member of the 2021 class, Bates was rated a consensus five-star, top-six overall prospect, according to the primary recruiting services.

He was also deemed the No. 1 small forward across the country in the 2021 cycle. He suited up for the Ypsi Prep Academy in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Originally committed to Michigan State, Bates ended up signing with Memphis and its head coach, former NBA star and ace recruiter Penny Hardaway.

I have no idea if Syracuse basketball coaches might pursue Bates. He is going to have a ton of suitors now that he’s in the transfer portal. We’ll keep an eye on his recruitment, as it may relate to the Orange, moving forward.