-
Jeff Bozero
near
ESPN Staff Writer- Basketball Recruit Insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduated from the University of Delaware.
-
Pete Tamel
felony charges against Emoni BatesThe former top recruit, now in eastern Michigan, is set to be fired next week, his attorney told ESPN.
Attorney Steve Haney said in a telephone interview Thursday that Bates is in the process of being reinstated by the university, the athletic department, and the president. I was.
Haney added that the felony charges against Bates are scheduled to be dismissed in Wednesday’s session in Washtenaw County, Michigan circuit court.
Haney said he negotiated a plea bargain with the Washtenaw County Attorney’s Office in exchange for the dismissal of all felony charges. Once the diversion program is complete, it will be dismissed outright.
A source at Eastern Michigan University confirmed to ESPN that Bates has been cleared to return to track and field practice and is in the process of being cleared to return to campus for classes.
“I understand that he has been positively cleared by school administrators to return to campus today to resume his studies and basketball career,” Haney said Thursday. I am very happy to be back at school and joining my teammates.”
Bates was arrested on September 18 and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and “altering the ID mark” on a firearm. A plea of not guilty was filed on behalf of Bates the next day.
Haney told ESPN that Bates was arrested after a routine traffic stop while he was driving a borrowed car with a gun.
According to a police report obtained by ESPN, agents observed a black Mitsubishi Outlander drive past a stop sign and initiate a traffic stop. Bates reportedly said there was marijuana and a handgun in the car, and a subsequent search of the car found the gun under the driver’s seat.
A 6-foot-9 small forward, Bates has been considered one of the country’s elite basketball prospects throughout his high school career, until he was reclassified last summer and finished third in 2021. It was ranked #1 in its class for 2022. .
He initially served in Michigan in the summer of 2020, resumed recruitment in April 2021, and then reclassified in 2022-2021, working in Memphis.
Bates is back in East Michigan after averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in one season with the Tigers.
ESPN’s Myron Medcalf contributed to this report.
