Anthony Bates Jr. Anthony Bates Jr. 6'3" | PG Katy Seven Lakes | 2024 State #307 Nation TX consistently displays all of the qualities of a college-ready floor general, oozing leadership, work ethic, communication skills, and a team-first mentality. His well-rounded point guard skill set encompasses scoring and passing from various levels on the court.

Anthony Bates Jr. is the type of playmaker who makes the game look easy. Everything he does is extremely smooth, under control, precise, and effortless. Bates Jr. creates a multitude of plays off the dribble, all without over-dribbling or dominating the ball. He’s a selfless ball-handler who takes pride in keeping his teammates involved, always finding cutters, open players in the corner, and teammates trailing behind on the fast break. An elite facilitator with a creative passing mindset, great vision, phenomenal touch, and the ability to distribute equally well with either hand. He consistently touches the paint at will, whether for a bucket or a dish. Bates possesses ball skills that allow him to completely take over a game offensively.

The recent Louisiana Tech commit showed great IQ and promise on display during Day 2 of the NCAA Basketball Academy. Bates is a skilled ball handler who makes great decisions on whether to pass or attack the basket. His strength was playing well on both ends of the floor whether it’s guarding multiple positions on the defensive end or playing under control on the offensive end.

3 star recruit. Anthony AJ Bates a very good point guard. Great touch finishing at the rim. Great speed and acceleration with the ball. Has the ability to knock down the three point shot. The district MVP for this season at Seven Lakes high school. Great court vision can really see the floor. Likes to get out in the passing lanes and get steals. Fundamental ball handling not a flashy player, no unnecessary dribbles. Plays at 110%, great hustler as well. This kid will be a great player at the next level. 

Everyone who is familiar with the basketball scene in the city of Houston knows that Bates is one of the most efficient scorers, if not the best, in the class of 2024 guards out of H-Town. A.J. has proven game after game that he can be relied on to score whenever his team needs him to take over the game and will them to a hard fought win. Bates most recently proved this in a district rivalry game against the Katy Tigers where Seven Lakes won 86-51 and he led all scorers with 23 points on 9 of 11 from the field and 3 of 6 from the foul stripe. AJ also added 6 assists and 10 rebounds, showing he is more than capable of being a leader on both ends of the court.

Bates was in control of the game from beginning to end, effecting things in every way offensively and proving to be a nearly complete player on that side of the ball as he dropped 19 points while scoring from all three levels of the court. Bates picked up his first two buckets from his well-polished right handed floaters, displaying impeccable touch inside the lane even while being fouled. He was such a versatile bucket getter that he was able to get the job done off the dribble and off the catch evenly often due to phenomenal footwork. The Spartans lead guard at defenders alive with his super smooth handle, it allowed Anthony to work his way through full court traffic and pressure with constant change of direction and change of pace dribbles that kept his defenders on their heels and dropping back. The best paint touch guard in the gym, Bates used his knack for snaking his way in front of defenders to get into the teeth of the defense and either draw the foul call, find an open teammate, or convert his signature floater. His athletic abilities really came into play on fastbreaks after jumping throws in the passing lane on the wing and beating everyone up the floor for the slam, he even had another in transition where he flushed it through two defenders. Anthony was a selfless player that got everyone touches and kept each teammate involved. Bates was a true floor general playing with a mature mental capacity while orchestrating the offense like a true varsity vet, controlling the tempo, managing the clock, setting his teammates up, and creating plays within the half court. I really admired how Anthony Bates Jr. never had to force his offense, over dribble, or shoot a high volume of shots to get his points, Bates’s ability to drop on a dime, create space, and shoot at a moment’s notice was uncanny and downright unstoppable, this junior guard had a flaming hot hand against Atascocita.