It’s been a wild run for the youngest member of the Cavaliers. Drafted with the 49th overall pick out of Eastern Michigan after a legendary prep career and two collegiate seasons, Emoni Bates says he’s as happy hooping now as he’s ever been – playing pressure-free for maybe the first time in his life. It showed on the floor through six games in Vegas Summer League, where he earned Second Team honors and helped Cleveland win the Championship on Monday night.
.481 … Emoni Bates three-point shooting percentage over the last four games of Summer League – shooting an even 40 percent (18-for45) from deep overall.
76 … three-pointers that Emoni Bates drilled as a sophomore at Eastern Michigan, tops on the squad and fourth-best in the MAC last season.
6.0 … rebounds per game that Emoni Bates averaged during his Summer League stint, grabbing at least six boards in four of his six appearances.
19.2 … points per game that Emoni Bates averaged last season for EMU – ranking him 39th nationally and 3rd in the Mid-American Conference.
4 … games as a college sophomore that Emoni Bates topped the 30-point mark, including a 43-point performance last January against Toledo.
1.000 … Emoni Bates free throw percentage through six games in Vegas – going 13-for-13 from the stripe.
17.2 … points per game that Emoni Bates averaged during his Summer League run, netting double-figure scoring in all six outings.
“(Winning the Summer League Championship) felt REAL good. We went in with the right mindset and the preparation that we did all week. Paying attention to the scouting report, paying attention to the details of the game were big for us. So, for us to come out with the Championship, it means a lot.”