Arkansas among top six schools for Memphis basketball transfer Emoni Bates

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman could be adding another gem to his transfer portal haul as former Memphis forward Emoni Bates could be bringing his talents to Bud Walton Arena.

The former No. 1 overall recruit in 2022 entered the transfer portal in April and told On3 his top six schools are Arkansas, Seton Hall, DePaul, Louisville, Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

The 6-foot-9 Bates ruled out Georgetown, Kansas, Oregon, Illinois, Oklahoma State, Butler and Washington State.

Bates, who is from Ypsilanti, Michigan, chose to reclassify and signed with Memphis as a 17-year-old. Bates, now 18, will have three years of eligibility.

TRANSFERS: Arkansas basketball transfer portal tracker: who's out, who's in for the Razorbacks

In his only season at Memphis, Bates missed all of February and part of March with a lower back injury. In his 18 games, Bates averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Musselman has already added four transfers, all of them forwards. Mekhi and Makhel Mitchell, twins from Rhode Island, Trevon Brazile from Missouri and Jalen Graham from Arizona State are already coming to Fayetteville. Rising junior Jaylin Williams could still return after declaring for the NBA Draft without an agent, but with so many forwards inbound, it looks less and less likely.

Musselman also signed the nation's second-best recruiting class, including three five-star McDonald's All-Americans. With six high school recruits signed and four transfer additions, Arkansas has reached the limit 13 scholarship players. Williams, should he return, makes 14.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks. You can email her at clong@swtimes.com or follow her on Twitter @christinalong00.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas among top six schools for Memphis basketball transfer Emoni Bates