Eastern Michigan Athletics
Coming Home! EMU Men's Basketball Announces Addition of Emoni Bates
8/23/2022 1:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bates was the Gatorade National Player of the Year as a sophomore at Ypsilanti's Lincoln High School
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball program and Head Coach Stan Heath announced the newest Eagle to campus today, Aug. 23, as Emoni Bates (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsi Prep Academy-Memphis) will join the program for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
"Eastern Michigan basketball, the University, and our entire community are all thrilled to welcome Emoni back home," Heath said of Bates' decision to join the program. "As I have gotten to know him, I am extremely impressed by his love for the game, the work ethic he has on his craft, and the passion he has to be great. In meeting him, I was encouraged by his character and who he is as a person. One of the first things he said to me was the importance of having a great relationship with his teammates and coaches, which meant a lot to me. His familiarity with several players on the team and the connection they have had over the years was pivotal in Emoni coming home as well. I realize what a special moment this is by having a No. 1-ranked player in the country in Emoni Bates join our program. He is an NBA talent and we are committed to winning and helping him and his teammates reach their dreams."
Bates becomes the highest rated recruit to sign at Eastern Michigan according to 247Sports since the service began its ranking in 2003. Furthermore, he is the first five-star recruit to play for a Mid-American Conference program, and just the sixth MAC student-athlete in the 247Sports era to earn a four-or-better star rating.
"I love my city and coming home to do something special was big for me," Bates said. "I've known several of the guys on the team from playing together and competing. Having a strong relationship and bond with my teammates and coaching staff was important to me. I've been working really hard over the years, especially this summer, against great competition to continue to get better. I'm excited to have Coach Heath and his staff working with the team and myself. I really feel a connection here and I'm excited for our upcoming season. My parents once told me, 'Happiness equals success; never compromise yourself to lose what's most important. Your happiness is everything!'"
Coming out of high school, the 6-foot-9, 190-pound wing was the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2022, but opted to reclassify to 2021. Bates enrolled at the University of Memphis for the 2021-22 season after his reclassification.
Bates averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game with the Tigers and was a regular starter. He missed the final nine games of the regular season and Memphis' three games in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament due to a lower back injury. He came off the bench in the Tigers' two NCAA Tournament games against Boise State and Gonzaga, totaling eight points in 15 minutes played.
He suited up for Ypsi Prep Academy as a junior in 2020-21 and averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Bates started his high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and helped the team to its first state championship as a freshman. He also was named the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year.
Bates followed that up with being named the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year honors a year later after he averaged 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game that included a 63-point, 21-rebound outing.
Before coming to Memphis, Bates suited up on Team Final alongside current Detroit Pistons first round draft pick Jalen Duren during last summer's Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit. Two summers ago, playing on his father's Bates Fundamentals 16U team at the 2019 Peach Jam, Bates was named to the All-Peach Jam First Team alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga. Cunningham and Green went 1-2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Kuminga was picked No. 7. Additionally, Bates will once again be playing alongside a former teammate from the Bates Fundamentals team as Orlando Lovejoy (Detroit, Mich.-Summit Academy North) is entering his freshman year with the Eagles this season.
Bates' addition to the program marks the fourth transfer for the Eagles this offseason, as he will be joined on the roster by Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Technical-Duquesne), Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio-Lutheran East-Georgetown), and Legend Geeter (River Rouge, Mich.-River Rouge-Providence). Eastern's transfer class currently ranks fourth nationally according to 247Sports, trailing only Texas, Texas Tech, and Illinois.
Of note, all four players were regarded as among the best in their respective states with Bates twice earning Gatorade Michigan Basketball Player of the Year (2019, 2020) honors while Acuff (2020, Michigan), Geeter (2021, Michigan), and Billingsley (2021, Ohio) all being named finalists for the Mr. Basketball award in their home states.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2022-23 season are on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on Bates and the rest of the EMU men's basketball program, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUmbb).
BATES BIO
EMU: 2022-23: Joins Eastern Michigan with sophomore eligibility...MEMPHIS: 2021-22 : Averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game...Selected 2021-22 Preseason All-AAC Second Team...Came off the bench in the Tigers' two NCAA Tournament games against Boise State and Gonzaga, totaling eight points in 15 minutes played...Missed the final nine games of the regular season and Memphis' three games in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament due to a lower back injury...In first game since Dec. 14, after missing three contests, had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Cincinnati, Jan. 9...Was named the AAC Freshman of the Week after first two games of collegiate career...Scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Tiger debut (Nov. 9) against Tennessee Tech... Chose Memphis over Oregon, Michigan State, and the NBA's G League...HIGH SCHOOL: Reclassified to the Class of 2021...Was a consensus top-five, five-star recruit by every major recruiting service...Played junior season at Ypsi Prep Academy in Ypsilanti, Mich....Averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game as a junior in 2020-21...Started high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and helped the team to its first state championship as a freshman...Was named the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year...Followed up with 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year honors a year later, after averaging 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game that included a 63-point, 21-rebound outing...Suited up on Team Final during the summer 2021 EYBL circuit...Two summers before, played on father's Bates Fundamentals 16U team at the 2019 Peach Jam and was named to the All-Peach Jam First Team alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga...Cunningham and Green went 1-2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Kuminga was picked No. 7...Born on Jan. 28, 2004, making him 18 the calendar year of the 2022 NBA Draft and therefore not eligible due to the 19-year-old requirement...PERSONAL: Emoni James-Wayne Bates....Son of Edith and Elgin 'E.J.' Bates.
Collegiate Career Highs
Points - 17 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
Minutes - 31 vs. Western Kentucky (11/19/21)
Field Goals Made - 6 vs. Saint Louis (11/19/21)
Field Goal Attempts - 12 vs. at UCF (1/12/22)
3-Point Field Goals Mad - 4 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
3-Point Field Goal Attempts - 7 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
Free Throws Made - 7 vs. N.C. Central (11/13/21)
Free Throw Attempts - 9 vs. N.C. Central (11/13/21)
Rebounds - 7 vs. at UCF (1/12/22)
Assists - 6 vs. Cincinnati (1/09/22)
Blocks - 3 vs. vs Iowa St. (11/26/21)
Steals - 3 vs. Murray St. (12/10/21)
"Eastern Michigan basketball, the University, and our entire community are all thrilled to welcome Emoni back home," Heath said of Bates' decision to join the program. "As I have gotten to know him, I am extremely impressed by his love for the game, the work ethic he has on his craft, and the passion he has to be great. In meeting him, I was encouraged by his character and who he is as a person. One of the first things he said to me was the importance of having a great relationship with his teammates and coaches, which meant a lot to me. His familiarity with several players on the team and the connection they have had over the years was pivotal in Emoni coming home as well. I realize what a special moment this is by having a No. 1-ranked player in the country in Emoni Bates join our program. He is an NBA talent and we are committed to winning and helping him and his teammates reach their dreams."
Bates becomes the highest rated recruit to sign at Eastern Michigan according to 247Sports since the service began its ranking in 2003. Furthermore, he is the first five-star recruit to play for a Mid-American Conference program, and just the sixth MAC student-athlete in the 247Sports era to earn a four-or-better star rating.
"I love my city and coming home to do something special was big for me," Bates said. "I've known several of the guys on the team from playing together and competing. Having a strong relationship and bond with my teammates and coaching staff was important to me. I've been working really hard over the years, especially this summer, against great competition to continue to get better. I'm excited to have Coach Heath and his staff working with the team and myself. I really feel a connection here and I'm excited for our upcoming season. My parents once told me, 'Happiness equals success; never compromise yourself to lose what's most important. Your happiness is everything!'"
Coming out of high school, the 6-foot-9, 190-pound wing was the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2022, but opted to reclassify to 2021. Bates enrolled at the University of Memphis for the 2021-22 season after his reclassification.
Bates averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game with the Tigers and was a regular starter. He missed the final nine games of the regular season and Memphis' three games in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament due to a lower back injury. He came off the bench in the Tigers' two NCAA Tournament games against Boise State and Gonzaga, totaling eight points in 15 minutes played.
He suited up for Ypsi Prep Academy as a junior in 2020-21 and averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Bates started his high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and helped the team to its first state championship as a freshman. He also was named the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year.
Bates followed that up with being named the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year honors a year later after he averaged 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game that included a 63-point, 21-rebound outing.
Before coming to Memphis, Bates suited up on Team Final alongside current Detroit Pistons first round draft pick Jalen Duren during last summer's Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) circuit. Two summers ago, playing on his father's Bates Fundamentals 16U team at the 2019 Peach Jam, Bates was named to the All-Peach Jam First Team alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga. Cunningham and Green went 1-2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Kuminga was picked No. 7. Additionally, Bates will once again be playing alongside a former teammate from the Bates Fundamentals team as Orlando Lovejoy (Detroit, Mich.-Summit Academy North) is entering his freshman year with the Eagles this season.
Bates' addition to the program marks the fourth transfer for the Eagles this offseason, as he will be joined on the roster by Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich.-Cass Technical-Duquesne), Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio-Lutheran East-Georgetown), and Legend Geeter (River Rouge, Mich.-River Rouge-Providence). Eastern's transfer class currently ranks fourth nationally according to 247Sports, trailing only Texas, Texas Tech, and Illinois.
Of note, all four players were regarded as among the best in their respective states with Bates twice earning Gatorade Michigan Basketball Player of the Year (2019, 2020) honors while Acuff (2020, Michigan), Geeter (2021, Michigan), and Billingsley (2021, Ohio) all being named finalists for the Mr. Basketball award in their home states.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the 2022-23 season are on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on Bates and the rest of the EMU men's basketball program, continue to visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUmbb).
BATES BIO
EMU: 2022-23: Joins Eastern Michigan with sophomore eligibility...MEMPHIS: 2021-22 : Averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game...Selected 2021-22 Preseason All-AAC Second Team...Came off the bench in the Tigers' two NCAA Tournament games against Boise State and Gonzaga, totaling eight points in 15 minutes played...Missed the final nine games of the regular season and Memphis' three games in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament due to a lower back injury...In first game since Dec. 14, after missing three contests, had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Cincinnati, Jan. 9...Was named the AAC Freshman of the Week after first two games of collegiate career...Scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Tiger debut (Nov. 9) against Tennessee Tech... Chose Memphis over Oregon, Michigan State, and the NBA's G League...HIGH SCHOOL: Reclassified to the Class of 2021...Was a consensus top-five, five-star recruit by every major recruiting service...Played junior season at Ypsi Prep Academy in Ypsilanti, Mich....Averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game as a junior in 2020-21...Started high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti and helped the team to its first state championship as a freshman...Was named the MaxPreps Freshman of the Year...Followed up with 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year honors a year later, after averaging 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game that included a 63-point, 21-rebound outing...Suited up on Team Final during the summer 2021 EYBL circuit...Two summers before, played on father's Bates Fundamentals 16U team at the 2019 Peach Jam and was named to the All-Peach Jam First Team alongside Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga...Cunningham and Green went 1-2 in the 2021 NBA Draft, and Kuminga was picked No. 7...Born on Jan. 28, 2004, making him 18 the calendar year of the 2022 NBA Draft and therefore not eligible due to the 19-year-old requirement...PERSONAL: Emoni James-Wayne Bates....Son of Edith and Elgin 'E.J.' Bates.
Collegiate Career Highs
Points - 17 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
Minutes - 31 vs. Western Kentucky (11/19/21)
Field Goals Made - 6 vs. Saint Louis (11/19/21)
Field Goal Attempts - 12 vs. at UCF (1/12/22)
3-Point Field Goals Mad - 4 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
3-Point Field Goal Attempts - 7 vs. Tennessee Tech (11/09/21)
Free Throws Made - 7 vs. N.C. Central (11/13/21)
Free Throw Attempts - 9 vs. N.C. Central (11/13/21)
Rebounds - 7 vs. at UCF (1/12/22)
Assists - 6 vs. Cincinnati (1/09/22)
Blocks - 3 vs. vs Iowa St. (11/26/21)
Steals - 3 vs. Murray St. (12/10/21)
Players Mentioned
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