It made me step my game up more for sure.” But it was fun for me knowing I got that challenge. Even my friends on opposite teams, they’d pick on me, too. For years, he felt targeted, singled out because of his early fame. So emotions was everywhere.”Ĭleveland represents a new beginning for Bates, who finally feels unencumbered from the weight of smothering assumptions and external pressures. So it was a lot of tears, just me and my family just all happy. “I worked really hard to get to this spot and for me to actually get here means a lot for me. “I’m not going to lie, just a lot of emotions,” Bates said. Still, there was nervousness on draft night before Cleveland, which didn’t have a first-round pick, selected him at No. “It was all smiles when I left,” he said, “so that was a good thing for sure.”

The Cavs were the last team Bates worked out for before the draft, and he knew he had made a strong impression on them. Scouts were divided on his NBA future, some believing he had reached his ceiling while others saw potential. In many ways, the Eagles’ 8-23 record was a reflection of the enigmatic Bates. He scored 29 straight points and finished with 43 against a solid Toledo squad, but there were also stretches in which Bates, who averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, looked disinterested and played selfishly. He wound up agreeing to a plea deal and receiving 18 months probation, but the incident created more doubt about him.ĭuring his one season in the Mid-American Conference, Bates showed flashes of the immense talent that brought him national attention in the first place. 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.

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