Emoni Bates Works Out For Charlotte Hornets, Who Own 5 NBA Draft Picks

Emoni Bates, the 6-foot-9 prospect once called “a young Kevin Durant,” began his NBA pre-draft workouts this week with the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets, who own five picks in the June 22 Draft, are said to be intrigued by Bates, who averaged 19.2 points on 40.5% shooting – 33.0% from 3-point range – 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 30 games (29 starts) this past season at Eastern Michigan. Bates, who spent his freshman season at Memphis, was the 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year and ESPN’s No. 3 high school prospect in 2021.

“The workout was great. Good energy, everybody was on the same page locked in,” Bates said of the workout in a video posted by the Hornets. “Everybody just trying to get better, it’s positive energy in here. So you know, I love that environment.”

Charlotte is the type of team that could take a flyer on Bates because of their plethora of picks: they pick in the lottery and then own Nos. 27, 34, 39 and 41.

Once upon a time, Bates was in the mix for the one of the top spots in this summer’s draft — maybe the top spot. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 15-year-old and was called “a young Kevin Durant” by ESPN and was said to “often resemble a 6’ 9” Stephen Curry” in the SI story.

But a lot has happened since then. The short version is Bates was on his second school after transferring to Eastern Michigan from Memphis, and last fall he had felony gun charges dropped after he was pulled over by police while driving someone else’s car. A gun and weed were found in the vehicle.

A source close to Bates’ camp said earlier this year they had spoken with 20 teams and his draft projection ranges from 20-45, which sounds about right.

“He will be a polarizing guy,” one NBA scout said of Bates. “I would guess someone will take a chance.”

“He’s a talented offensive player who right now is a 2nd-round pick,” a second NBA executive said. “Risky, but worth the risk.”

In January, made national news by scoring 29 straight pointsin the first half of Eastern Michigan’s 84-79 loss to Toledo and finished with 43 on 65% shooting while going 9-of-14 from three.

“That dude is an offensive player,” ESPN’s Seth Greenbergsaid on air after the game.

Bates also scored 36 in a loss to South Carolina, 30 in a loss to then-No. 22 Michigan, 29 in a loss to Florida Atlantic and 26 twice, most recently in a Jan. 7 win over Central Michigan.

“He started getting compared to Kevin Durant, and that’s hard for any young person,” Michigan coach Juwan Howard, an NBA veteran, said after the game on Nov. 11.

He added: “There’s a chance for this young man to do some special things in the game of basketball.”

A year ago, as a 17- and 18-year-old, Bates averaged 9.7 points during a turbulent season under Penny Hardaway at Memphis.

NBA scouts are still weighing Bates’ potential upside.

“I’m all over the place,” a third scout said. “Perspective is a big thing with that one. 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?”

It will be fascinating to see where he lands in the Draft, but Charlotte has enough picks to take a chance.