After being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Emoni Bates has made a strong impression in his first professional season.
This past summer, the 20-year-old started all six games for Cleveland’s first-ever Summer League Championship team, averaging 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game and shooting 40.0% from three-point range. Then, Bates averaged 10.5 points per game and shot 10-for-22 (45.5%) from behind the arc in the preseason for the Wine and Gold.
Currently signed to a Two-Way Contract, the rookie has now been recognized as one of the premier players in the NBA G League.
On Monday, it was announced that Bates was voted into the 2024 NBA G League Up Next Game, which will be played during NBA All-Star Weekend.
The 6-foot-9 forward ended up earning the 10th-most fan votes, which garnered him an automatic spot for the contest. Bates has had a productive campaign with the G League's Cleveland Charge so far this season, averaging 24.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game across the regular season and Winter Showcase.
He has continued his three-point prowess during his time in the G League, shooting 42.0% with 4.4 three-pointers made and 10.5 three-point attempts per contest in his 15 combined games.
As for his NBA career, Bates has appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Cavaliers this season. In his 69 minutes played, he has totaled 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one steal. Bates has also shot 5-for-20 (25.0%) from three-point territory.
Cleveland fans can watch Bates play in the second-ever NBA G League Up Next Game on Sunday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m.
More must-reads: