2024-25: Appeared in 29 games while making four starts ... Totaled 134 points for a scoring average of 4.6 points per game, recording four double-digit scoring performances ... Shot 43.6 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from three-point range, and 67.3 percent from the foul line ... Also amassed 57 rebounds (2.0 per game), 49 assists (1.7 per game), and 22 steals (0.8 per game) ... Made Bulldog debut in season opener versus LSU-Alexandria, scoring one point on a made free throw to go along with five assists ... Tallied 10 points in a non-conference win over Georgia Southern (12/13), earning him CUSA Freshman of the Week honors ... Made first collegiate start at FIU (2/8), playing all 40 minutes in route to 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting as well as seven assists and three steals ... Came off the bench to put up 14 points at WKU (2/22) ... Started and played all 40 minutes at Sam Houston (3/1), scoring a season-high 20 points while also recording season highs with nine assists and four steals ... The performance earned him his second CUSA Freshman of the Week honor.   

PRIOR TO LA TECH: Ranked No. 32 player in the state of Texas by 247Sports and No. 5 player in the Greater Houston Area by RCS Sports ... Was one of 10 finalists for the Guy V. Lewis award, given to the best player in the Greater Houston Area ... Led Spartans to three district titles (2022-24) and two regional appearances (2023-24) ... Eclipsed 2,000 career points at Seven Lakes ... Averaged 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game ... TABC 6A All-State ... Three-time Texas 6A All-Region ... Three-time District 19-6A MVP, the first boys basketball player to ever accomplish this feat in Katy ISD ... Four-time First Team All-District selection ... Member of THSCA 6A Super Elite Team ... Newcomer of the Year in 2021.

PERSONAL: Full name is Anthony "AJ" Bates Jr. ... Son of Kolbe and Anthony Bates Sr. ... Three siblings: Aaliyah, Aariyah, and Aamyrah ... Born Dec. 30, 2005.