Emoni Bates talks 'big brother' Ja Morant, reflects on his time with Memphis Tigers
LAS VEGAS — Emoni Bates knew exactly how many players with NBA experience the Memphis Grizzlies had on the floor Monday afternoon inside the Cox Pavilion. That was one of many motivating factors as Bates faced off against a Grizzlies team that featured several familiar faces.
Bates' connections to Memphis stretch longer than his 8-foot-9 inch standing reach. The former Memphis Tigers forward scored 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 100-77 win against the Grizzlies in an NBA Summer League game on Monday. His big-time performance allowed for a chance to reflect on a special part of his journey that served as one of his biggest lessons.
Bates was one of the most-hyped recruits of the past decade when he reclassified to 2021 and committed to the Memphis Tigers. His freshman season was filled with struggles, and he eventually transferred to Eastern Michigan before declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft.
"It's really not even basketball," Bates said. "Mentally, I made a big step just taking care of my mental. That's something big. If you don't got a good mental, it's hard for you to play the way you want to play."
Do those words sound familiar? If you're a Grizzlies fan, they should.
Many players in the NBA have honed in on their mental health in recent years as athletes have become more outspoken about their battles. One of those players is Grizzlies star Ja Morant, whom Bates calls his "big brother."
Morant has been outspoken about his efforts to improve his mental health and how it relates to his basketball performance. Bates and Morant established a strong relationship since the two were in Memphis simultaneously. They've stayed close since then.
That relationship with Morant is one reason Bates said he "definitely" was interested in being drafted by the Grizzlies.
"He check in with me every here and there," Bates said. "That's big bro. He always check in with me. I'm pretty sure he's going to text me when I get to the hotel. I try to talk to him as much as I can."
Memphis selected GG Jackson 45th overall in the 2023 draft. Four picks later, the Cavs selected Bates, and the Grizzlies closed the draft by adding Tarik Biberovic with the 56th overall selection.
Biberovic and Jackson are both players capable of playing on the wing. Like Morant, Jackson is another player with whom Bates is familiar. The two played against each other last season and have followed each other's rise through the recruiting ranks.
"Me and GG locked in," Bates said. "That's my dog for sure."
Bates is now in a similar position with the Cavaliers as he possibly would have been in Memphis. He's playing for a team in position to take a leap, but he's not in a situation where he'll be required to play a major role. In other words, he can learn the speed of the game and adjust accordingly.
"For me to be here, it's like a dream come true," Bates said. "I've been enjoying everything. For me it's just about taking everything in."
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: NBA Summer League: Emoni Bates reflects on relationship with Ja Morant
