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Two Fascinating Developments In National Recruiting

Memphis is loaded and NIL just stung the ‘Cuse

By JD King
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: DEC 09 River Rouge at Ypsilanti Lincoln
YPSILANTI, MI - DECEMBER 09: Ypsilanti Lincoln Railsplitter sophomore Emoni Bates in action against the River Rouge Panthers during the Ypsi Tip Off Classic on December 9, 2019 at the Eastern Michigan Convocation University Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Two very interesting recruiting stories that aren't local but that may have ACC and national consequences.

First, Emoni Bates has committed to Memphis, where he’ll team with Jalen Duren.

Bates was long seen as the best player in the class but after the Covid pause hit recruiting, people saw more weaknesses in his game and in recent months, Duren was seen as the best.

But Duren also has weaknesses in his game though they may not matter as much in college: he’s a smallish post player with minimal offensive skills outside the lane.

So both guys are trying to prove their NBA worthiness and are doing so at Memphis, a school that could have major NCAA problems whenever their case is resolved (we refer to the James Wiseman saga).

Then again, with Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace on staff, Hardaway may have set up an NBA finishing school. We’ll see.

The other?

Kamari Lands decommitting from Syracuse - and why.

He committed early, before the NIL changes hit, and thought he could do better.

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