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Codey Bates is nearing the end of his senior season. Southwind High School meets Houston High tonight in a District 15AAA Championship Game. Bates is undecided on his college basketball school.
“I told him to walk-on,” said Alabama Magic Director Emanuel Abercrombie. “He has been admitted to Memphis, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Wingate, University of Alabama Huntsville, Carson-Newman, and Union. He can definitely walk-on and play for UAPB, Central Arkansas, and Wingate.”
Memphis
Academically Codey Bates is sound with a 4.1 GPA and a 27 ACT. Physically he is ready to play right away.
“He can defend anybody,” said Coach Abercrombie. “When he goes to our camps he shuts every body down.”
Coach Abercrombie reports D1 coaches are unsure if Bates can handle the ball well enough to be a low major starter down the line.
Scan the PrepHoopsTN player evaluation below.
Low Major is a deserved resting place for Codey Bates (PrepHoopsTN #57), but his recruitment is not reflecting it. Over the summer Codey played with a gritty Alabama Magic squad. Both Delta State and Wingate are interested. Either would be lucky to get him in their program. All Codey does is show up to every challenge with his toolbox and worker’s helmet.
Bates projects as a great LM lockdown defender. He probably won’t be a double-figure scorer at the D1 level, but he isn’t the kind of player to complain about lack of touches. Bates is a wonderful piece to a winning puzzle.
Bates is heavily considering reclassing. Coach Abercrombie is not really in favor of that option.
“I tell him, ‘You are still going to be the same player after your reclass,'” said Coach Abercrombie. “‘Just a year older.'”
The college coaches that profess to be interested, but back off offering because ‘he can’t handle like a college guard’ get a quippy though astute observation from Coach Abercrombie.
“If he could handle, you wouldn’t be getting him.”