PRODIGIES // CHARACTER REEL
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER REELS
Emoni Bates // Ann Arbor
At just 14-years-old, and still wearing braces, this prodigy from Michigan is the #1 Freshman in America. As a baby, Emoni Bates couldn’t fall asleep unless he had a basketball under his arm. Now at 6'7", and just 155 pounds, Emoni is already tall enough to play shooting guard in the NBA. He handles the ball like a point guard and launches 3-pointers like a pro. He can create his own shot or drive the lane and pass to a teammate, characteristics that remind scouts of another rail-thin prodigy, Kevin Durant. But history is littered with stories of kids with all the promise in the world failing to reach their potential. As the Nation’s #1 recruit, the next four years will be a trying time for Emoni and his family as they fend off all that comes with the increasingly bright lights.
Jaheim Bathea // Philadelphia
Hailing from the rough neighborhood of North Philadelphia, Jaheim Bathea has found his calling on the hardwood. An undersized point guard, Jaheim has begun to catch the attention of colleges and national scouts for his tenacious play.
But his life away from basketball remains a constant struggle. A recent victim of a drive-by shooting, Jaheim’s dedication to basketball comes from his dream to “make it out” and save his family from the neighborhood they currently call home. The next four years prove vital for Jaheim as he continues to climb the rankings and avoid the ever-present dangers and temptations of his surroundings.
Richard “Pop Pop” Isaacs // Las Vegas
While Richard "Pop Pop" Isaacs already holds a scholarship offer from his hometown UNLV, the 6'0" point guard hasn’t quite broken into the upper echelon of the national rankings. After recently reclassifying to the class of 2022, spending last year home-schooling and hitting the gym, Richard received national recognition being selected to USA Basketball. For Pop Pop, off-court issues loom large, with his divorced parents tugging him in different directions in a constant fight over his future. Rick Isaacs, a larger-than-life character who suffers from Lupus, pushes Pop Pop to both reach his son’s dreams as well as restore the family fortune that he himself won and lost. A story fit for Vegas, the next four years will be pivotal for Pop Pop as the constant family drama so interwoven with his basketball journey.
Skyy Clark // Los Angeles
The son of former NFL receiver Kenny Clark, Skyy is a 6'2" point guard from Southern California. Skyy has everything an aspiring pro could want: the athletic gifts, the professional trainers, the private school, the 24,000 followers on lnstagram. But as one of six kids, he has remained grounded. Or as grounded as you can be growing up in the land of the Kardashians.
The pressure of living up to his family legacy, coupled with the rising fame, will challenge Skyy to remain focused on the court. With celebrity friends like rapper Master P driving Skyy to games, his journey will showcase the challenges of staying hungry while facing the pressure of a family and a community expecting greatness.