Get Sports Strong

By David Delano Marotta

Emoni Bates was once hailed as the best high school basketball player in the nation, drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant. At one time, Bates was projected to be a top-5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but his college career at Memphis did not go as planned, which then led him to an up-and-down year leading a bad Eastern Michigan team. Despite the challenges he faced in college, Bates still has immense potential, which led to the Cleveland Cavaliers selecting him 49th in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers hope Bates will be one of the draft’s biggest steals, and there is a justifiable reason for optimism. He is a gifted scorer with a smooth shooting stroke that can knock down shots from almost anywhere on the court. In his first four NBA Summer League games, Bates showcased glimpses of his potential, averaging 16 points and six rebounds per game. He also shot 35.3% from three-point range.

So will Bates become a star and the solution to the Cavaliers’ issues at the small forward position? Maybe, but he still has a long way to go and a lot of work to put in. Despite the flashes of excitement, Bates’ game has its weaknesses. During Summer League play, it has been noticeable that Bates is not an elite athlete for the NBA level, and his offensive decisions can sometimes stall his team’s ball movement. He also tends to settle for difficult shots and struggles to make decisions that will set up his teammates, averaging an underwhelming 0.8 assists per game.
Currently only 19 years old, if the Cleveland Cavaliers can develop Bates, he could help them in the 2023-24 season by being a better three-point shooter than Issac Okoro. Although Okoro is a solid defender, but he is not a great shooter. Bates, on the other hand, is a more natural shooter and could help space the floor for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and also open up more opportunities for Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and the rest of the supporting cast.
In addition to his shooting, if Bates can commit to improving on the defensive end, it would give the Cavaliers more versatility.
Overall, Emoni Bates is a talented player with a lot of potential. He has the potential to be a dynamic three-point shooter, solid rebounder, and defender. Bates can be a valuable asset for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but addressing his weaknesses and further developing his skills will be crucial for him to reach his full potential.

About the author: David Delano is a Bowling Green State University graduate with a passion for sports, traveling, and music. David loves to handicap MLB, NFL, NCAAF, NCAAB, NBA, WNBA, and is also a big fan of boxing and track and field. Over the years, David has worn several hats in the sports world, from being behind the camera to writing, filming, editing, scouting, and coaching, and is also an expert sports bettor.

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