Emoni James-Wayne Bates (born January 28, 2004) is an American basketball player who attends Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
A small forward, he stands 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m) and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg).
He is a five-star recruit and the number one player in the 2022 recruiting class.
Bates, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was viewed as a top prospect since attending middle school.
In his freshman season at Lincoln High School, he led his team to a state championship and received Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors.
Bates has been considered the best high school prospect, regardless of class.