Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell posted a fiery tweet on Friday following the Cavs’ selection of Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates in the 2023 NBA Draft Thursday night.
“Let’s get it!! @BatesEmoni,” Mitchell wrote.
Bates responded with a tweet of his own shortly after.
“I can’t wait big bro,” Bates wrote.
The Cavs took Bates with the No. 49 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game for the Eagles last season.
Bates was a former 5-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. He was the No. 1-rated small forward and the No. 6 recruit in the nation on 247Sports’s recruitment rankings, taking spots over now Detroit-Pistons center Jalen Duren, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith and Golden State Warriors forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy, Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren all took spots ahead of him.
Emoni Bates reclassified into the 2021 class in 2021. He initially committed to Michigan State in 2020 before de-committing and committing to the Memphis Tigers in 2021.
“I just felt like coach Penny could prepare me for the next level,” Bates told Stadium’s Jeff Goodman and The Field of 68’s Rob Dauster shortly after his announcement, via USA Today. “I’m super excited (the recruiting process) is over. I’m ready. I’m about to lock in even more. I’m about to go turn up my Tiger fans.”
Mitchell, who spent his collegiate career at Louisville, was the No. 25 prospect and the No. 7 shooting guard in the 2015 recruiting class in 247Sports’s recruitment rankings. He took four spots ahead of Louisville teammate Deng Adel, who played in 19 games and started in three for the Cavs during the 2018-19 season. Villanova guard Jalen Brunson, who led the New York Knicks at 24 points per game during the Cavs’ five-game playoff series loss last season, took the 23rd spot ahead of Sacramento Kings guard PJ Dozier.
