YPSILANTI – Ypsilanti native and former top college basketball recruit Emoni Bates is expected to have two felony charges against him dropped.
Attorney Steve Haney says Bates will plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of attempted illegal transportation of a weapon, according to multiple reports.
Last month Bates was arrested during a traffic stop near Ann Arbor and charged with two felony charges related to a gun found in his car during the traffic stop.
Bates enrolled at his hometown Eastern Michigan University after transferring from Memphis University.
He will reportedly be reinstated to the school and be allowed to participate in all practices and games.
“The Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics has received notification that there is an agreement between the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office and Emoni Bates' defense team that would result in the felony charges being dismissed. In accordance with EMU’s Athletics policies, Mr. Bates is immediately reinstated to all athletic and campus activities,” a statement from the school said.
Bates is expected to be in court for a plea agreement in Washtenaw County Court next Wednesday.
Bates rose to prominence at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti before eventually playing at a prep school. He initially committed to Michigan State, but decommitted and opted to reclassify from the class of 2022 to '21. He ultimately committed to Memphis, where he battled an injury for much of the season. The 6-foot-9 small forward transferred to EMU this offseason.
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