Cavaliers rookie forward Emoni Bates has been chosen to participate in the Next Up Game, which is the G League’s version of the All-Star Game.
The game will be held on Feb. 18, the same day as the NBA All-Star Game, at G League Park in NBA Crossover at the Indiana Convention Center. Bates received the 10th-most votes among G League fans for the Next Up event.
Bates, selected by the Cavs in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft (No. 49 overall), has appeared in five regular-season games with the Cleveland Charge and is averaging 24.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists, shooting 41.7 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent on 3-pointers.
He also appeared in 10 games at the G League Showcase Cup, averaging 24.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 42 percent on threes.
Bates has played 10 games for the Cavs and is averaging 1.8 points in limited minutes.
Here is the complete list of Next Up game participants:
Fan Vote
- Emoni Bates (Cleveland Charge)
- Luka Garza (Iowa Wolves)*
- Ashton Hagans (Rip City Remix)
- Kevon Harris (Osceola Magic)*
- Javan Johnson (Santa Cruz Warriors)
- Skal Labissiere (Stockton Kings)
- Markquis Nowell (Raptors 905)*
- Trevelin Queen (Osceola Magic)*
- Quinndary Weatherspoon (South Bay Lakers)
NBAGL selections
- Dominick Barlow (Austin Spurs)*
- Darius Bazley (Delaware Blue Coat)
- JD Davison (Maine Celtics)*
- Collin Gillespie (Grand Rapids Gold)*
- Keyontae Johnson (Oklahoma City Blue)*
- Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Delaware Blue Coats)*
- Jermaine Samuels (Rio Grande Valley Vipers)*
- Cole Swider (Sioux Falls Skyforce)*
- Ethan Thompson (Mexico City Capitanes)
- Oscar Tshiebwe (Indiana Mad Ants)*
- Alondes Williams (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
G League Ignite fan vote
- Izan Almansa
- Matas Buzelis
- Thierry Darlan
- Ron Holland
- London Johnson
- Dink Pate
- Babacar Sane
- Tyler Smith
- Indicates two-way player
More must-reads: