Where will Emoni Bates go in 2023 NBA draft?

Emoni Bates’ future on the basketball court will become clearer in less than two weeks.

The Eastern Michigan star sophomore and once-top high school basketball recruit is expected to hear his name called during the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.

But the question now is where the 6-foot-9 wing will land.

Bates isn’t expected to be a first-round pick according to several mock drafts, but many have Bates slated to go in the second round.

and Bleacher Report both chose the Brooklyn Nets at No. 51 as the spot for the Ypsilanti native, while The Ringer has Bates projected to the Boston Celtics and No. 52 and YahooSports has him going 46th to the Atlanta Hawks.

Bates helped his stock improve at the NBA Draft combine last month, displaying the shooting skills that once had him considered as one of the top prospects in the country.

Bates declared for the draft in late April after averaging 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for EMU on the way to earning second team All-Mid-American Conference honors for the 2022-2023 season.

His points and rebounds per game ranked in the Top 10 in the MAC and he increased his shooting percentages at all levels from his freshman year at Memphis.

Bates rose to stardom as a basketball phenom during his high school career at Ypsilanti Lincoln where he led the team to a state title as a freshman and was named Gatorade National Player of the Year following his sophomore season.

He then transferred to Ypsi Prep Academy for his junior year and reclassified to the 2021 recruiting class before committing to Memphis.

Bates played in 18 games and averaged 9.7 points on 38% shooting from the field with 3.3 rebounds per game for the Tigers prior to transferring to EMU.

MORE:

Emoni Bates shows off shooting potential at NBA Draft Combine

The moments that shaped Emoni Bates’ journey toward 2023 NBA Draft

Why Emoni Bates could still have bright future despite rollercoaster freshman season at Memphis