Eastern Michigan Athletics
Bates Selected By 49th by Cleveland In 2023 NBA Draft
6/23/2023 1:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Ypsilanti product taken with the 19th pick in the second round
Emoni Bates Highlights | Bates Selection Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Eastern Michigan University sophomore Emoni Bates (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsi Prep-Memphis) with the 49th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm early Friday morning inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bates, one of 58 players selected by the 30 teams in the professional organization, was the lone member of a Mid-American Conference school to be drafted this year.
The first Eastern player drafted since Derrick Dial was drafted 52nd by the San Antonio Spurs in 1998, Bates is the 15th EMU draftee in program history and the second by the Cavs, who drafted Bob Riddle 141st overall in the 1977 draft. All told, Bates is just the fifth player to be selected in the top 50 and the first since Grant Long was taken 33rd overall in the 1988 draft by the Miami Heat.
An offensive standout, Bates dropped a career-high 43 points at Toledo, Jan 24, including scoring 29 consecutive points in the first half of the contest. Additionally, in the game, he drained 15 shots, including nine triples, the ninth-most in a single game in program history. Bates, who scored at least 20 points 11 times, including 30 in his first game with the Eagles against then No. 22 Michigan, and scored 30+ in four contests. Prior to his 43-point eruption, he scored a then-career-high 36 points at South Carolina, Dec. 30, where he hit eight three-point shots as well.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Eastern Michigan University sophomore Emoni Bates (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsi Prep-Memphis) with the 49th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm early Friday morning inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bates, one of 58 players selected by the 30 teams in the professional organization, was the lone member of a Mid-American Conference school to be drafted this year.
The first Eastern player drafted since Derrick Dial was drafted 52nd by the San Antonio Spurs in 1998, Bates is the 15th EMU draftee in program history and the second by the Cavs, who drafted Bob Riddle 141st overall in the 1977 draft. All told, Bates is just the fifth player to be selected in the top 50 and the first since Grant Long was taken 33rd overall in the 1988 draft by the Miami Heat.
An offensive standout, Bates dropped a career-high 43 points at Toledo, Jan 24, including scoring 29 consecutive points in the first half of the contest. Additionally, in the game, he drained 15 shots, including nine triples, the ninth-most in a single game in program history. Bates, who scored at least 20 points 11 times, including 30 in his first game with the Eagles against then No. 22 Michigan, and scored 30+ in four contests. Prior to his 43-point eruption, he scored a then-career-high 36 points at South Carolina, Dec. 30, where he hit eight three-point shots as well.
.@BatesEmoni, YOU are a Cleveland Cavalier!
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 23, 2023
Time to #LetEmKnow.@betwayusa | #ad pic.twitter.com/QCXsO8hVIi
Drafting History
Bates' selection by the Cavs adds to a historic academic year for Eastern Athletics. Bates is the third Eagle drafted by a professional franchise this year after EMU football's Sidy Sow (New England Patriots, Fourth Round) and Jose Ramirez (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sixth Round) were both taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. The trio combined to mark the 12th time in Eastern history that at least one EMU athlete has been drafted in two of the major professional leagues in the same year and the first since 2019 when Maxx Crosby (NFL) and Zachary Owens (MLB) both had their names called.
Of those 12 instances, this year's selections mark just the second time Eastern has had a player drafted in both the NBA and the NFL with the first coming in 1974. That year, George Gervin was drafted 40th overall by the Phoenix Suns while three players - Jim Pietrzak, Dave Boone, and Frank Kolch - were drafted into the NFL.
Years With an EMU Player Drafted in Two of the Major Professional Leagues (11)
1974 - Jim Pietrzak (NFL), Dave Boone (NFL), Frank Kolch (NFL), George Gervin (NBA)
1976 - Clarence Chapman (NFL), Thomas Boutin (MLB), Jerry Keller (MLB), Glenn Gulliver (MLB), Bob Owchinko (MLB)
1978 - Ron Johnson (NFL), John Martin (MLB), Bud Yanus (MLB), Brian Stemberger (MLB)
1980 - Kevin Blakley (NBA), Audie Cole (MLB)
1981 - Ken Miller (NFL), Jon Zureich (MLB), Randy Gorgon (MLB), Jay Davisson (MLB), Bryon Horn (MLB), Mitch Zwolensky (MLB), Bryan Clutterbuck (MLB), Doug Davis (MLB)
1991 - Marcus Kennedy (NBA), Doug Martin (MLB), Kevin Grijak (MLB), James Martin (MLB)
1999 - L. J. Shelton (NFL), Michael Aldridge (MLB)
2003 - Kevin Walter (NFL), Anthony Tomey (MLB), Ryan Goleski (MLB)
2009 - T. J. Lang (NFL), Kyle Rhoad (MLB)
2017 - Pat O'Connor (NFL), Sam Delaplane (MLB)
2019 - Maxx Crosby (NFL), Zachary Owings (MLB)
2023 – Sidy Sow (NFL), Jose Ramirez (NFL), Emoni Bates (NBA)
Season Tickets Are On Sale
Season tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 Eastern Michigan University basketball campaign are now on sale! With prices starting at less than $10 per game, the Eagles are ready to take flight inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Thanks to your support, average attendance more than doubled from the previous year and we want to see all of you back when we tip-off again in November!
When you return to the GameAbove Center, you will see and feel noticeable improvements to the gameday experience beginning with installation of Wi-Fi and upgraded 5G service throughout the arena. In addition, the video board upgrades will be completed to make the in-game atmosphere even better for fans in attendance. And this year, come to games showing your Eastern pride as all fans will receive a free clear tote bag with their purchase of season tickets.
To purchase yours now, visit EMUEagles.com/Tickets or contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
EMU's All-Time NBA Draft Selections (15)
1970 - Earle Higgins - San Francisco Warriors - No. 36 (Round 3, Pick 2)
1970 - Harvey Marlatt - Detroit Pistons - No. 224 (Round 16, Pick 2)
1971 - Kenny McIntosh - Chicago Bulls - No. 15 (Round 1, Pick 15)
1972 - Dwaine Dillard - Baltimore Bullets - No. 89 (Round 6, Pick 9)
1973 - Lendell Reason - Portland Trail Blazers - No. 123 (Round 8, Pick 3)
1974 - George Gervin - Phoenix Suns - No. 40 (Round 3, Pick 4)
1977 - Bob Riddle - Cleveland Cavaliers - No. 141 (Round 7, Pick 10)
1980 - Kevin Blakely - Kansas City Kings - No. 108 (Round 5, Pick 16)
1983 - Marlow McLain - Detroit Pistons - No. 192 (Round 9, Pick 8)
1985 - Fred Cofield - New York Knicks - No. 73 (Round 4, Pick 3)
1985 - Vincent Giles - Detroit Pistons - No. 133 (Round 6, Pick 17)
1988 - Grant Long - Miami Heat - No. 33 (Round 2, Pick 8)
1991 - Marcus Kennedy - Portland Trail Blazers - No. 54 (Round 2, Pick 27)
1998 - Derrick Dial - San Antonio Spurs - No. 52 (Round 2, Pick 23)
2023 - Emoni Bates - Cleveland Cavaliers - No. 49 (Round 2, Pick 19)
Bates' selection by the Cavs adds to a historic academic year for Eastern Athletics. Bates is the third Eagle drafted by a professional franchise this year after EMU football's Sidy Sow (New England Patriots, Fourth Round) and Jose Ramirez (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sixth Round) were both taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. The trio combined to mark the 12th time in Eastern history that at least one EMU athlete has been drafted in two of the major professional leagues in the same year and the first since 2019 when Maxx Crosby (NFL) and Zachary Owens (MLB) both had their names called.
Of those 12 instances, this year's selections mark just the second time Eastern has had a player drafted in both the NBA and the NFL with the first coming in 1974. That year, George Gervin was drafted 40th overall by the Phoenix Suns while three players - Jim Pietrzak, Dave Boone, and Frank Kolch - were drafted into the NFL.
Years With an EMU Player Drafted in Two of the Major Professional Leagues (11)
1974 - Jim Pietrzak (NFL), Dave Boone (NFL), Frank Kolch (NFL), George Gervin (NBA)
1976 - Clarence Chapman (NFL), Thomas Boutin (MLB), Jerry Keller (MLB), Glenn Gulliver (MLB), Bob Owchinko (MLB)
1978 - Ron Johnson (NFL), John Martin (MLB), Bud Yanus (MLB), Brian Stemberger (MLB)
1980 - Kevin Blakley (NBA), Audie Cole (MLB)
1981 - Ken Miller (NFL), Jon Zureich (MLB), Randy Gorgon (MLB), Jay Davisson (MLB), Bryon Horn (MLB), Mitch Zwolensky (MLB), Bryan Clutterbuck (MLB), Doug Davis (MLB)
1991 - Marcus Kennedy (NBA), Doug Martin (MLB), Kevin Grijak (MLB), James Martin (MLB)
1999 - L. J. Shelton (NFL), Michael Aldridge (MLB)
2003 - Kevin Walter (NFL), Anthony Tomey (MLB), Ryan Goleski (MLB)
2009 - T. J. Lang (NFL), Kyle Rhoad (MLB)
2017 - Pat O'Connor (NFL), Sam Delaplane (MLB)
2019 - Maxx Crosby (NFL), Zachary Owings (MLB)
2023 – Sidy Sow (NFL), Jose Ramirez (NFL), Emoni Bates (NBA)
Season Tickets Are On Sale
Season tickets for the upcoming 2023-24 Eastern Michigan University basketball campaign are now on sale! With prices starting at less than $10 per game, the Eagles are ready to take flight inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Thanks to your support, average attendance more than doubled from the previous year and we want to see all of you back when we tip-off again in November!
When you return to the GameAbove Center, you will see and feel noticeable improvements to the gameday experience beginning with installation of Wi-Fi and upgraded 5G service throughout the arena. In addition, the video board upgrades will be completed to make the in-game atmosphere even better for fans in attendance. And this year, come to games showing your Eastern pride as all fans will receive a free clear tote bag with their purchase of season tickets.
To purchase yours now, visit EMUEagles.com/Tickets or contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
EMU's All-Time NBA Draft Selections (15)
1970 - Earle Higgins - San Francisco Warriors - No. 36 (Round 3, Pick 2)
1970 - Harvey Marlatt - Detroit Pistons - No. 224 (Round 16, Pick 2)
1971 - Kenny McIntosh - Chicago Bulls - No. 15 (Round 1, Pick 15)
1972 - Dwaine Dillard - Baltimore Bullets - No. 89 (Round 6, Pick 9)
1973 - Lendell Reason - Portland Trail Blazers - No. 123 (Round 8, Pick 3)
1974 - George Gervin - Phoenix Suns - No. 40 (Round 3, Pick 4)
1977 - Bob Riddle - Cleveland Cavaliers - No. 141 (Round 7, Pick 10)
1980 - Kevin Blakely - Kansas City Kings - No. 108 (Round 5, Pick 16)
1983 - Marlow McLain - Detroit Pistons - No. 192 (Round 9, Pick 8)
1985 - Fred Cofield - New York Knicks - No. 73 (Round 4, Pick 3)
1985 - Vincent Giles - Detroit Pistons - No. 133 (Round 6, Pick 17)
1988 - Grant Long - Miami Heat - No. 33 (Round 2, Pick 8)
1991 - Marcus Kennedy - Portland Trail Blazers - No. 54 (Round 2, Pick 27)
1998 - Derrick Dial - San Antonio Spurs - No. 52 (Round 2, Pick 23)
2023 - Emoni Bates - Cleveland Cavaliers - No. 49 (Round 2, Pick 19)
Players Mentioned
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