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'I'm glad we have him': Legal woes over, Emoni Bates dazzles in EMU debut

Tony Paul
The Detroit News

Ypsilanti — Two weeks since being reinstated to his Eastern Michigan basketball team and with his legal troubles mostly behind him, Emoni Bates wore a big smile as the final seconds of warm-ups ticked away Thursday night.

Bates made his last shot in warm-ups, a long 3-pointer that was punctuated with a pose, and then he made the first shot of his Eastern Michigan career, another 3-pointer, less than 30 seconds into an exhibition game against Grand Valley State as an enthusiastic crowd of 2,487 roared its approval for the return of the hometown phenom.

Bates finished the game leading all scorers with 27 points, a chunk of that coming in an impressive first half in which he made three 3-pointers and slam down a made-for-TV windmill dunk. He struggled a little bit early in the second half, a second turnover in as many possessions sending him to the bench, where he got some one-on-one counsel from Eastern's second-year head coach, Stan Heath, who ended the conversation with a pat on the back.

Eastern guard Emoni Bates shoots a free throw in the first half.  Eastern vs Grand Valley in men's basketball exhibition at George Gervin GameAbove Center at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Oct. 27, 2022.  
(Robin Buckson / The Detroit News)

Thursday's exhibition, won by Eastern Michigan, 85-69, thanks to a dominant second half, marked the first game for Bates in his hometown of Ypsilanti since he finished his high-school career in the shadows of the George Gervin Center.

"I feel like, you know, those type of guys, you gotta let them be them, but at the same time let him know we're here for him, support him, and watch him hoop," Eastern Michigan sophomore point guard Noah Farrakhan said of Bates. "That's a rare talent.

"It's a great piece."

Eastern guard Emoni Bates (21) drives on Grand Valley forward Isaiah Carver-Bagley (24) in the first half.  Eastern vs Grand Valley in men's basketball exhibition at George Gervin GameAbove Center at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Oct. 27, 2022.

Bates was not made available to the media following the game.

Bates, 18, a one-time phenom who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 15, played his freshman season at Memphis, where he averaged 9.7 points before deciding to transfer after an up-and-down baptismal to college hoops that featured some off-the-court drama and a late-season injury.

Saying, "I love my city," he then picked Eastern Michigan to continue his career, to the delight of a school that saw its season-ticket sales more than double after Bates announced he was coming home.

The upper deck of the Gervin Center, formerly the Convocation Center, was curtained off Thursday, but if Bates can resurrect his career and turn in more efforts for Eastern Michigan like his first, that might not always be the case.

Eastern guard Emoni Bates goes for a dunk in the first half.  Eastern vs Grand Valley in men's basketball exhibition at George Gervin GameAbove Center at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. on Oct. 27, 2022.

Bates dazzled despite limited practice. Before he could even officially work out with his new teammates, he ran afoul of the law, pulled over and arrested on felony gun charges last month. He was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and altering ID marks on the gun, which was missing one of its three serial numbers. Bates told officers the car and gun, a Glock 17C 9-millimeter, didn't belong to him. The car was registered to an LLC in Memphis. It hasn't been disclosed who owns the gun.

Earlier this month, Bates, who also was driving without a valid license and had pot and cigars in the car, reached a plea deal to a misdemeanor charge of attempting to transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

Bates was immediately reinstated with the felony charges dismissed. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 14, and faces up to two years probation and up to a $2,500 fine.

At his first practice back, on Oct. 13, Bates addressed his teammates.

"I don't know exactly what was said," Heath said. "I actually let him talk to the team without the coaches. He did speak to the team, and I know they welcomed him with open arms.

"This is the honest-to-God truth: He's a really good kid, who made a mistake. But he's a really good kid. I enjoy coaching him, he works hard, he wants to do good, he wants to be invested.

"And I'm glad we have him."

Bates hasn't spoken publicly about the traffic-stop incident, which made headlines nationally, given his profile. Video of him in handcuffs in the back of a sheriff's deputy patrol car, in tears and talking to his parents on the phone, was published by TMZ. After his plea, he released a statement, saying, "I hold myself accountable for making a poor decision and hope you can forgive me as I grow."

Bates started Thursday's game, and was totally engaged throughout his 33 minutes, especially in the first half, even when he was on the bench. When Eastern Michigan called a timeout in the first half with Grand Valley State surging — Eastern Michigan only led, 35-33, at the half — Bates was the first player off the bench to slap hands with teammates.

While he took most of his open shots in the first half, he passed up one in particular — deferring to sophomore guard Tyson Acuff, who had the better look. When Acuff let the 3-pointer fly, Bates pointed toward the rafters before the ball even went through the hoop. He also had a nifty, three-quarters-court leading pass that led to some fast-break points.

His only mishap of the first half — if you don't count the Nike warmup chose he wore; Eastern Michigan is an adidas school — came when Acuff tossed him an on-the-money alley-oop, which Bates couldn't convert.

Bates had the most minutes and most points of anyone on the floor, but it still wasn't a selfish performance. There had been published reports he had issues with teammates while at Memphis.

"I didn't know him before," Heath said. "Whatever was said in the media is not the guy I coach. I don't know if he changed, or if the media got it wrong."

For the game, Bates — who officially became the first former five-star basketball recruit to play in the Mid-American Conference — was 9-for-17 shooting (4-for-10 on 3's), with five rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Bates, named second-team all-Mid-American Conference in the preseason poll, was content to mostly hang out on the perimeter, at least early. He did have a nice drive to the basket early the second half, making the shot and drawing a foul. He made a nice cut to the basket for a late layup, drawing another foul. He was 5-for-8 from the line.

The 6-foot-9 guard's last made 3-pointer came with under 4 minutes left — and just like his final shot in warm-ups, it featured a multi-second pose.

The arrival of Bates, to go with fellow Metro Detroiters Acuff (Duquesne), Legend Geeter (Providence) and Orlando Lovejoy, all of whom also are new to Eastern this year, gives Heath a significant talent upgrade in his second year on the job, to say nothing of Georgetown transfer Jalin Billingsley. Farrakhan, the team's best player last season, also is back. He scored 22 to go with two blocks in Thursday's win, while Geeter, the big man, added a double-double, 13 rebounds and 11 points, along with two blocks. Acuff scored 15.

Bates, Farrakhan, Acuff and Billingsley all are sophomores, Geeter is a redshirt freshman, and Lovejoy is a freshman — each of them used to being "the" guy, at least at previous stops. Maybe no one more than Bates, who is off to a fine start at his fresh start, despite a late start to the preseason.

"He's transitioned really well, came in, got right to it, was locked in, really focused," Farrakhan said. "He fits in real well."

Eastern Michigan, 10-21 last season, opens this regular season Nov. 7 at home against Wayne State.

Division II Grand Valley State, led by first-year head coach and Ferndale native Cornell Mann, continues its grueling exhibition schedule Tuesday at Michigan State. The Lakers lost at Oakland, 92-76, one week ago. Chinedu Kingsley Okanu, a transfer from Northern Illinois, led Grand Valley State with 11 points and six rebounds.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tonypaul1984