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Could Emoni Bates be the Detroit Pistons version of LeBron?

By Ryan Love

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warming up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 110-107. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warming up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 110-107. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Pistons are headed toward a total rebuild as a young star rises in their own back yard. Could high school sophomore Emoni Bates be their LeBron James?

The Detroit Pistons have had great individual players in their history — Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Grant Hill, Ben Wallace, etc.

However, they have never had the opportunity to have a homegrown talent that lives up to those names.

As the franchise looks to rebuild in the coming seasons, it could have the chance to get that in Ypsilanti-Lincoln’s Emoni Bates.

https://twitter.com/BatesEmoni/status/1122188613796732928?s=20

Bates, 16, is the star small forward for Lincoln and is considered the standalone star of what will be the 2022 graduating class.

Can the Pistons hit a home run in this upcoming draft?. light. Related Story

He’s listed at 6’8, 200 pounds as a sophomore and has scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Florida State, Kentucky, and DePaul, according to 247 Sports.

Bates is the best high school prospect since LeBron James — fundamentally better than Zion Williamson was in high school.

Former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said on The Jump that Bates would be a lottery pick if he could come out in the 2020 NBA Draft.

https://twitter.com/KendrickPerkins/status/1229964596016033792?s=20

Perkins can be one to embellish — but he makes a good point when you look at the general mystery behind the upcoming draft class.

Bates has the potential to be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft as the NBA will be going back to allowing players to enter the league directly after high school — and the Pistons might be there to get their “Chosen One.”