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Cavaliers select Eastern Michigan's Emoni Bates 49th overall in NBA Draft

Former top overall college prospect averaged 19.2 points per game for Eagles last season

Dec 30, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles forward Emoni Bates (21) against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena.
Dec 30, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Eastern Michigan Eagles forward Emoni Bates (21) against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena.
© Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers used their lone pick of the 2023 NBA Draft to select Eastern Michigan's Emoni Bates at 49th overall on Thursday night.

Bates, 19, enters the league following an up-and-down college basketball career. Touted as a five-star recruit and a top prospect out of high school, Bates committed to Memphis - following a commitment and ensuing de-commitment from Michigan State - at the age of 17.


Bates would play two seasons for the Tigers, struggling through injuries and a suspension for a gun charges arrest - the latter of which came during Bates's sophomore season and was later dropped. Bates then transferred to his hometown school and played two seasons for the Eagles.

Listed at 6-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Bates averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds during the 2022-23 season, while posting a 40% field goal percentage. Bates finished with double-digit points in 25 out of 31 games, including a 46-point performance against Toledo and a 30-point performance against then-22nd-ranked Michigan. The Eagles finished with an 8-23 record.

Bates is set to join a Cavaliers team coming off a 51-31 record and a No. 4 finish in the Eastern Conference regular season standings, as well as a first-round loss to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Former top overall college prospect averaged 19.2 points per game for Eagles last season