Emoni Bates is the most recent and clear example of how the narrative around one player You can make a 180 degree turn at any time. And more than once.
of being a viral sensation and to be considered the “New Kevin Durant” in his years High School to two tumultuous years in the NCAA and now, to look like one of the potential steals of the 2023 NBA Draft after a brilliant passage from Las Vegas to Summer League.
Emoni Bates and the fall of the “new Kevin Durant”
With unusual combination of height, handling and draftBates terrorized high school basketball defenses during high school and was soon considered the best work of his age series. Due to his physique and features, comparisons to Kevin Durant They didn’t take long to appear. An exaggeration, of course, but understandable given the talent displayed by the man born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
As time to jump to NCAA in 2021, the problems began. First, he had agreed to join the historical and local Tom Izzo’s Michigan Statebut it was not long before he broke this promise and signed with the Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers.
He didn’t make it to the Tigers alone, but he did it with me Jalen Duren (now a Detroit Pistons player), another top talent in the 2021 class, for a Memphis that promised to be the big sensation of the 2021-2022 season. But none of that happened: not with Memphis, much less with Bates.
Emoni’s performance with the Tigers was not expected, can’t find his place in Hardaway’s rotation and is plagued by physical issues. he barely came to argue 18 matches and although he averaged 9.7 points, he did so on 39% from the field, 33% on 3-pointers and 65% on free throws, with almost twice as many turnovers (2.3) as assists (1.3).
For 2022-2023, he left Memphis and transferred to the minor Eastern Michiganwhere things couldn’t have gone worse for Bates: was arrested for a firearms incidentsubsequently suspended for his university and finally, protagonist of a 2022-2023 to forget. Since although it arrived at 19.2 points averagehe did so with low percentages, zero defensive intensity or willingness to pass the ball, in one of the worse teams of the contest (ranked 317th out of 363).
When Bates decided to enter his name in the 2023 Draft, His stock couldn’t be lower and all indications were that he would fall into the pit of “successor stars” who never lived up to their proven potential as youngsters.
Bates Resurgence, Potential 2023 Draft Steal?
The narrative surrounding Bates began to change in the Draft Combine games. There he left an improved image compared to what happened in the NCAA, showing off his own huge scoring talent. Flaws, of course, but these were somewhat overshadowed by his innate ability to shoot from mid-range and long range.
Emoni Bates shows off her skills in #NBA Draft Combine 🎯 pic.twitter.com/PU7jk1rzUM
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 17, 2023
After that showing at the Combine, it was no wonder Bates’ name was thrown around on draft night. Although far from what was once envisioned as a Lottery pick, it fell to Position 49°in his hands Cleveland Cavaliers. A height of the Second Round where players who can establish themselves in the NBA rarely appear, beyond some martyr step.
But while Summer League may not measure up, Emoni Bates looks like someone capable of bucking that trend. And it is that in Las Vegas, the 2.06 meters forward It has gone against the two major faults attributed to it: his lack of efficiency and ability to play winning basketball.
EMONI BATCH THROWS IT 🔨🔨
Cavs just 1 point away from 101 goal on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/i76HPbnLY1
—NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2023
Bates has shined in five Summer League games, averaging 16.8 points in 29.6 minuteswith outstanding rates: 41% on 3-pointers (on almost 8 attempts per game), 47% on doubles and 100% on free throws. And perhaps even more importantly, his Cavaliers were the best team of the summer league (5-0 record) and this Monday, July 17th they will decide the title against the Houston Rockets.
Bates still has a long way to go before he becomes someone capable of being a regular contributor in the NBA. But the talent has always been there and little by little he seems to be removing the anchors that prevented his rise.
