He transferred to Eastern Michigan, but there was trouble before he even stepped on the floor as Bates was arrested on a felony gun charge. 13 overall pick last year.īates had a forgettable season playing under former NBA star Penny Hardaway, averaging 9.7 points while being sidelined for nearly two months by a back injury that led to speculation about his dedication to the sport. With dazzling skills and untapped potential, Bates was once considered a can't-miss lottery pick, then a perennial All-Star capable of lifting a franchise and perhaps leading a team to multiple championships.Īfter becoming a sensation on the AAU circuit, the 6-foot-9 Bates initially committed to playing at Michigan State before backing out and enrolling at Memphis, where at 17 he joined good friend Jalen Duren, the No. This is like a blessing for me for sure.” So I’ve been the most happy I’ve ever been, man. "This was my dream since I was 3 years old to get to the NBA. “I just wanted an opportunity,” said Bates, who will debut with Cleveland's Summer League team in Las Vegas on Friday. Tabbed the “next Kevin Durant” even before he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school sophomore in Michigan, Bates is no longer trying to live up to the expectations of others and simply following his own path, albeit not the one he imagined.
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