‘He’s Back To Practice And On Campus’

Felony gun charges against Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates will be dropped next week and Bates has been reinstated at Eastern Michigan University.

“Emoni is back to practice and on campus,” his attorney Steve Haney said by text. “[I’m] beyond pleased for Emoni who now can embark upon his redemption tour. I believe in him.”

Bates was back at practice Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“The Eastern Michigan University department of athletics has received notification that there is an agreement between the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office and Emoni Bates’ defense team that would result in the felony charges being dismissed,” the school said in a statement. “In accordance with EMU athletics policies, Mr. Bates is immediately reinstated to all athletic and campus activities.”

Per the Free Press, “Bates will also have to complete a diversion program in order to have his record expunged. As part of the agreement, Bates will also enter a mentorship program.”

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office told the Free Press, “as with all of our cases and pursuant to our ethical obligations we will not be making public comment of substance until the judicial process is concluded.”

On Sept. 19, the 6-foot-9 former five-star recruit was immediately released from jail after he was arrested the night before on gun charges.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said deputies in Superior Township pulled Bates over after he failed to stop at an intersection.

Haney said then that Bates was charged with two felonies for carrying a concealed weapon and obliterating a serial number on a gun.

Bates borrowed the car from someone else and maintained he was not aware there was a gun it, Haney said.

Bates, who turned 18 in January, was the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2021 and appeared as a 15-year-old on the cover of Sports Illustrated along the headline “Born for This,” with a subhead comparing him to Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and LeBron James.

Still, after reclassifying and enrolling at Memphis last season, Bates had a disappointing year under coach Penny Hardaway, the former NBA star. He averaged 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38.6% from the field.

Bates had been projected by ESPN.com in June as the No. 33 pick in next year’s draft, but was then removed altogether after the arrest.