His appearances drew large crowds, which forced school officials to remove the tarps from the upper-level seats. While playing at Lincoln, his games were often at the then Convocation Center, located on EMU’s West campus. The cover read, “Born for this”, and it is likely that they didn't mean born to play for EMU. When at the age of 15, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated he was still playing for his public school, Ypsilanti Lincoln. For a school which has struggled with its branding, this coverage is invaluable.Įmoni Bates is an Ypsilanti native, he is Ypsi born and breed. ESPN, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and many more covered the news and even tweeted photoshopped pictures of Bates in an Eastern uniform. Except this week, when Emoni Bates announced that he is coming…no, staying home. Much too often, news outlets only want to talk about Eastern Michigan when something goes wrong.Ī brief online search for Eastern Michigan University generally reveals some unsavory articles on sexual assaults, budgets, sports cuts, and racial turmoil. Despite GameAbove’s efforts and the recent renovations on campus, EMU students aren’t used to the nicest things in the world. Many of the students drive into campus from home, and their homes are located pretty much everywhere as the school boosts a diverse student body. Eastern Michigan University is no different in that respect. Its charm is now built on history and grit. Ypsilanti is no longer used to the nicest things in life. Outsiders love to point to Ypsi’s crime rate compared to the rest of Washtenaw County but they haven’t seen the sunset looking from Depot Town towards the iconic Ypsilanti water tower. It is often referred to in jest as Ann Arbor’s affordable housing district, as it is a blue-collar town which, like any rust belt blue collar community, has had its share of troubles, tucked next to one of the highest cost of living college communities in the United States. Eastern students are used to being overlooked by those students from the University of Michigan, which sits just six miles away. It will be fascinating to see where he lands in the Draft.People aren’t born already in love with Eastern Michigan University or the city of Ypsilanti.īoth are an acquired taste that comes from knowing their quirks and appreciating the struggle. But for now, Bates is trending upward and has helped himself this season if he opts to enter the draft. The jury is out and there’s still a few months left in this season. I think it’s about deciphering who the kid is compared to the background and story…if he can be salvaged … what type of kid is he? Does he value winning? Can he do things other than scoring that impact the bottom line?” “Perspective is a big thing with that one. “I’m all over the place,” a third scout said. NBA scouts are still weighing Bates’ potential upside. Alabama freshman Brandon Miller, an All-America candidate, is averaging 19.5 and is a projected lottery pick.Ī year ago, as a 17-year-old, Bates averaged 9.7 points during a turbulent season under Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Eastern Michigan is 4-16 on the season.īates is the only college underclassman averaging 20+. He added: “There’s a chance for this young man to do some special things in the game of basketball.”įor the season, Bates is averaging 20.5 points and 5.7 rebounds on 44% shooting. “He started getting compared to Kevin Durant, and that’s hard for any young person," Michigan coach Juwan Howard, an NBA veteran, s aid after the game on Nov. 22 Michigan, 29 in a loss to Florida Atlantic and 26 twice, most recently in a Jan. “That dude is an offensive player,” ESPN’s Seth Greenberg said on air after the game.īates also scored 36 in a loss to South Carolina, 30 in a loss to then-No.
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