Emoni Bates announced Monday that he is entering the NBA draft.
“What I been dreaming for my whole life,” Bates posted on Instagram.
The 6-foot-9 wing graduated from high school in three years then played at Memphis for one season. Bates is projected as a second-round pick.
Dealing with a back injury that sidelined him for 12 games, Bates averaged 9.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18 games (13 starts) with Memphis during the 2021-2022 season.
Bates, 19, returned to his hometown of Ypsilanti to play for Eastern Michigan, where he played in 30 games (29 starts) last season, making 40.5 percent of his shots from the floor and 33 percent of 3-point attempts. He averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Eagles.
Bates was sentenced to 18 months of probation in December following a felony gun arrest in September. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge as part of a plea deal. The conviction will reportedly be expunged from Bates’ record if he successfully completes probation.
–Field Level Media