Emoni Bates left a sour taste in Memphis fans’ mouths after his short time at Memphis. This week, he was one of over 80 NBA Draft prospects that recently participated in the 2023 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. How did Emoni fare and what are some realistic landing spots for him in the draft?
Measurements and Testing:
Since last year’s Memphis Basketball pro day, Bates’s measurements have raised red flags among NBA scouts and executives. Teams are primarily concerned about his height-to-wingspan disparity. In addition, Bates’s sprint times and vertical measurements were far from impressive.
Shooting:
Bates excelled during the shooting drills, showing off his smooth and consistent stroke. In the Off-The-Dribble Drill, Bates tied for first as he shot 25-30. Additionally, he placed second in the 3PT-Star Drill, shooting a ridiculous 19-25 from beyond the arc. Bates not only shot the ball well in these drills, he also continued to shoot well in the 5v5 scrimmages.
Scrimmages:
In the fourth game of the NBA Draft Combine, Bates scored 12 points and added 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Despite only playing 19 minutes, Bates shot 2-3 from 3PT range and 3-5FG. Bates impressed scouts with how active he was on the defensive end, showing a noticeable improvement in his lateral quickness. Many did not expect Bates to participate in the scrimmages, so his respectable stat line will help boost his stock.
Potential Landing Spots:
As we all know, Emoni Bates was an extremely highly touted player out of high school. His time in college may have soured his draft stock, however, it is still likely he could go in the late second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. During recent interviews, Emoni expressed interest in playing for Detroit, Charlotte, and Dallas. Bates is a Michigan native, so it would make perfect sense for the Pistons to take a chance on him. Imagine the Pistons next season (barring no trades) with 3 former tigers: Jalen Duren, James Wiseman, and then Emoni Bates. They would certainly be a team to monitor for Memphis fans.
