Emoni Bates was not one of the more polished transfers in the country, but he may have had the highest ceiling.

The former Memphis center struggled in his freshman debut compared to expectations, but still averaged a modest 9 points per game. He ended up at Eastern Michigan after entering the transfer portal at the end of last season.

On Thursday, Juwan Howard revealed that he and the Michigan staff looked at adding Bates in the offseason, though he is happy with the roster he has put to the court this season.

Michigan won its first game of the season against Purdue Fort Wayne, 75-56. The Wolverines face off against Bates’ Eastern Michigan squad this Friday at 9 p.m. EST.