The Eastern Michigan University basketball star was arrested on gun charges
As first reported on WXYZ.com, EMU guard Emoni Bates was arrested on gun charges. Bates, who played at Ypsilanti Lincoln, where he led them to their first ever state championship as a freshman. Following that, he played at Ypsi Prep and was one of the top players in the 2021 class. He recently transferred to EMU after spending a season at Memphis University. According to the report, he was arrested on two felonies.
BREAKING: EMU basketball player Emoni Bates has been charged with 2 firearm felonies. pic.twitter.com/EXBj42L2zQ
— Brett Kast WXYZ (@brettkast) September 19, 2022
Per the EMU news announcement, Bates is the highest rated recruit to sign at Eastern Michigan according to 247Sports since the service began its ranking in 2003. He becomes the first five-star recruit to play for a Mid-American Conference program, and just the sixth MAC student-athlete in the 247Sports era to earn a four-or-better star rating.
Update 2:41pm: Per Tony Paul of the Detroit News on Twitter, Bates has been suspended.
Emoni Bates has been suspended by EMU as the legal process plays out.
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) September 19, 2022
EMU AD Scott Wetherbee’s statement on Emoni Bates: “We are aware of a situation involving one of our student athletes. Eastern Michigan takes all allegations very seriously. We are working to gather more details and will have further comment when more information is available.”
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) September 19, 2022
Photo Credit-© Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK
