Former 5-star recruit and current Eastern Michigan University star Emoni Bates was arrested on 2 felony gun violations on Monday afternoon. Bates was pulled over by Washtenaw County officers after not stopping at an intersection on Sunday night. Bates was taken into custody after the sheriff’s office of the region discovered the firearm. He has been charged with 2 felonies, one for carrying a concealed weapon and one for altering ID marks on the weapon.
Bates transferred to Eastern Michigan University at the end of his freshman season earlier this year after underwhelming performances for the Memphis Tigers. His new University has issued a statement regarding his arrest. Bates will have a probable cause hearing on October 6.
We are aware of a situation involving men’s basketball student-athlete Emoni Bates. Eastern Michigan University takes all allegations of this nature very seriously. Per department policy, he has been suspended automatically from practice and playing privileges until the legal process is resolved. Because this is an on-going legal matter, the University will have no further comment at this time.
REPORT: Emoni Bates has been arrested for two felonies concerning “carrying a concealed weapon” and “altering ID marks”on the weapon.
(via @wxyzdetroit, https://t.co/KL9bRCfYmT) pic.twitter.com/v4wAxdYIP0
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 19, 2022
The Tragic Downfall Of Emoni Bates
Bates was supposed to be the next NBA superstar when he was first discovered. He graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 15-year-old in 2019, being compared to the likes of LeBron James, Michael Jorda, and Magic Johnson. He was the 31 prospect in the class of 2022 and should’ve been a headliner in this year’s draft, but his stock fell from the best in his class to not even being worthy of a professional contract.
He shirked on a verbal commitment to join the Michigan State Spartans, one of the best teams in NCAA basketball, to join the Memphis Tigers and be coached by Penny Hardaway. However, Bates looked outmatched against NCAA opposition and was asked to transfer by coach Hardaway.
His journey to the NBA looks more unlikely now that he has had this issue. Eastern Memphis isn’t a University on the radar of NBA scouts and Bates will have ruined a lot of his reputation with this news. It’ll be an uphill battle for the 18-year-old to recover his tock and possibly make it to the NBA.
