Emoni Bates is one of the most talked-about young players in the NBA today. With a journey that’s seen both incredible highs and tough setbacks, he’s become a name to watch for basketball fans everywhere.
Known for his impressive scoring ability and long-range shooting, Bates has already made waves in the league, even though his professional career is just getting started. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or just getting to know the sport, learning about Emoni Bates’ life, career, and earnings gives you a front-row seat to the story of a rising star.
Emoni Bates’ Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emoni James-Wayne Bates |
| Date of Birth | January 28, 2004 |
| Age | 21 |
| Education | Lincoln High School, Ypsi Prep Academy, Memphis, Eastern Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Weight | 202 lbs (92 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2023 (NBA Draft) |
| Net Worth | $0.5 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | $559,782 (2023-24), $578,577 (2024-25) |
| Wife/Husband | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Emoni Bates’ early career is a story of rare talent, high expectations, and a path shaped by both triumphs and challenges. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 28, 2004, Bates showed a love for basketball from a very young age. With his father, a former professional player, guiding him, Emoni started playing basketball at age three and quickly developed his skills.
By fourth grade, he was already competing against high school seniors in local leagues, and his performances on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit soon put him on the national radar. In seventh grade, Bates averaged an astonishing 46 points per game for Clague Middle School and was rated the top player in his class by Future150. His rapid growth spurt, from 6’2″ to 6’7″ between sixth and seventh grade, added to his reputation as a prodigy.
Bates began his high school career at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. As a freshman, he made an immediate impact, scoring 32 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in his debut. Throughout the season, he continued to dominate, including a 43-point game and leading Lincoln to its first-ever state championship by scoring 23 points in the final.
Bates finished his freshman year averaging 28.5 points and 10.2 rebounds, earning honors such as Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, and AP Division 1 Player of the Year. Many regarded him as the best freshman to ever play in Michigan, and some compared his potential to that of LeBron James.
His sophomore season was even more impressive. Bates averaged 32.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, including a remarkable 63-point, 21-rebound performance. He became the first sophomore to win the Gatorade National Player of the Year boys’ award, further solidifying his status as a top recruit.
Bates’ dominance drew attention from top college programs, and he received scholarship offers from schools like Michigan State, Michigan, and Duke before he even finished his sophomore year.
Professional Career
Emoni Bates began his professional basketball career when he was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. At just 19 years old, Bates entered the league as one of the youngest players in his draft class, bringing with him a reputation as a former top high school recruit and a player with tremendous scoring potential. The Cavaliers signed him to a two-way contract, allowing him to split his time between the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
During his rookie season (2023-24), Bates spent most of his time developing with the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League. There, he quickly established himself as a dangerous scorer, averaging nearly 20 points per game and showcasing his ability to shoot from long range.
Bates posted a career-best 38-point game against the Santa Cruz Warriors, which highlighted his offensive skill set and his ability to take over games at the G League level. His G League averages for the 2023-24 season included 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, with a shooting percentage just under 39% from the field and nearly 35% from three-point range.
Bates’ time with the Cavaliers in the NBA was more limited during his first season. He appeared in 15 games, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in just under 9 minutes per game.
His role was primarily as a bench player, and he was often used in situations where the team needed an extra shooter or when the main rotation players were resting. Despite the limited minutes, Bates showed flashes of his potential, particularly with his confidence in taking three-point shots.
Emoni Bates’ Net Worth Details
Emoni Bates’ net worth is estimated to be $0.5 million as of 2025.
Contract
Emoni Bates is currently playing under a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2024-25 NBA season. This contract allows him to split his playing time between the Cavaliers in the NBA and their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge. The two-way deal provides Bates with a guaranteed salary of $559,782 for the season, which is the standard amount for NBA two-way players.
While on a two-way contract, Bates can spend up to 50 games with the NBA team, with the remainder of his time spent in the G League. This arrangement gives the Cavaliers flexibility to develop Bates further while evaluating his progress for a potential future full-time NBA roster spot.
Salary
For the 2024-25 NBA season, Emoni Bates is earning a salary of $559,782 under his one-year, fully guaranteed two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This salary is standard for players on two-way deals, allowing him to split time between the Cavaliers and their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge. Bates’ earnings reflect his role as a developing young player, and his salary will increase only if he secures a standard NBA contract in the future.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | $559,782 |
| 2024-25 | Cleveland Cavaliers | $578,577 |
| Total | $1,138,359 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 15 | 0 | 8.9 | .306 | .303 | .250 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
| 2024-25 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 9 | 0 | 3.7 | .211 | .267 | .000 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 1.3 |
| Career | Cleveland Cavaliers | 24 | 0 | 6.9 | .279 | .292 | .250 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.2 |
FAQs
1. Who is Emoni Bates and what teams has he played for?
Emoni Bates is an American professional basketball player born on January 28, 2004, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He currently plays as a small forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA and also plays for the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League on a two-way contract. He played college basketball for Memphis and Eastern Michigan before being drafted by the Cavaliers in 2023.
2. What was Emoni Bates’ high school basketball career like?
Emoni Bates started at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he led his team to a state championship as a freshman and became the first sophomore to win the Gatorade National Player of the Year boys’ award. For his junior year, he transferred to Ypsi Prep Academy, a school created by his father, and was widely regarded as one of the top recruits in his class.
3. How did Emoni Bates perform in college basketball?
Bates played his freshman season at Memphis, averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game but missed games due to injuries. He then transferred to Eastern Michigan for his sophomore year, where he averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and was named third-team All-MAC.
4. When and by whom was Emoni Bates drafted into the NBA?
Emoni Bates was selected in the second round as the 49th overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2023 NBA Draft. He was one of the youngest players in his draft class, having completed two years of college basketball.
5. What are some highlights from Emoni Bates’ NBA career so far?
Bates had a standout performance in the 2024-25 season finale, scoring a career-high 25 points with seven three-pointers, six rebounds, and two assists in 42 minutes against the Indiana Pacers. This marked his most significant NBA game to date and showcased his long-range shooting ability.
6. What challenges did Emoni Bates face during his basketball journey?
Despite being highly touted as a high school prospect, Bates’ development slowed due to injuries and role changes in college, leading to a drop in draft projections. He also faced a suspension at Eastern Michigan after an arrest, but the charges were later dropped and he was reinstated to the team.
7. What are Emoni Bates’ physical attributes and playing position?
Emoni Bates is listed at 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 202 pounds. He primarily plays as a small forward and is known for his shooting ability and scoring potential.
8. What are Emoni Bates’ career statistics in the NBA and G League?
In the NBA, Bates has averaged 3.1 points and 8.3 minutes per game over his first two seasons. In the G League with the Cleveland Charge, he has averaged around 19 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, showing strong scoring potential at that level.
9. What awards and honors has Emoni Bates received?
Bates was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in high school. He also earned third-team All-MAC honors during his sophomore season at Eastern Michigan.
10. What is Emoni Bates’ background and early life?
Emoni Bates grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and was recognized as a basketball prodigy from a young age. He received his first college scholarship offer in eighth grade and was considered one of the top high school basketball prospects in the country, drawing comparisons to NBA stars early in his career.
