Memphis basketball: How Kendric Davis, Emoni Bates fared at NBA draft combine
Kendric Davis and Emoni Bates, both former Memphis basketball players, made strides last week in their bids to reach their NBA dreams.
Davis and Bates each participated in the NBA draft combine in Chicago. Davis finished his collegiate career with the Tigers, suiting up for coach Penny Hardaway for the 2022-23 season after transferring from SMU. Bates enrolled early and spent 2021-22 at Memphis before transferring to Eastern Michigan for his sophomore season.
The Tigers had a player invited to the NBA draft combine for the third time in the last four years. Last season, center Jalen Duren took part and later became a first-round pick of the Charlotte Hornets. His rights were subsequently traded to the New York Knicks, then the Detroit Pistons, where he played 2022-23 as a rookie.
In 2020, former AAC Player of the Year Precious Achiuwa and James Wiseman were Memphis' NBA draft combine representatives. Achiuwa, now with the Toronto Raptors, was the 20th overall pick (Miami Heat). Wiseman, who played just three games for the Tigers, was taken by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 2 pick. Wiseman was traded to the Pistons in February.
Here is how Davis and Bates fared at last week's combine.
KENDRIC DAVIS: 'This is what you dream of, man': Memphis' Kendric Davis earns NBA Draft Combine invitation
EMONI BATES: After tumultuous college career, Emoni Bates ready for NBA and to 'remind them who I am'
SIGN UP: Memphis Tigers Basketball Insider text group with Jason Munz
Kendric Davis
The 24-year-old All-American point guard earned a spot at the NBA draft combine after a standout showing at the G League Elite Camp earlier this month. In the G League scrimmages, Davis averaged 12 points and 5.5 assists.
In two scrimmages at the NBA draft combine, Davis came off the bench and played relatively limited minutes. He averaged 8.5 points and 2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game. Davis was 6 for 14 from the field (including 2-of-4 from the 3-point line) and was 3 for 3 at the free throw line.
Davis was measured at 5-10.25 without shoes at the G League Combine Camp. He also put up solid agility testing numbers, including 3.149 in lane shuttle left and 3.231 in lane shuttle left. Davis' time of 3.17 in three-quarter court sprint was bested by only five players at the NBA draft combine.
Emoni Bates
In his two scrimmage appearances, Bates, 19, averaged 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1 assist in 20 minutes a game. He shot 7-of-14 from the field (3 for 6 from deep) and hit all four of his free throw attempts.
Bates' (listed at 6-8.25 without shoes) wingspan, which raised some concerns after Memphis' pro day in 2021, was measured at 6-9 − the lowest of anyone taller than 6-7. His 32-inch max vertical jump was more than only eight other participants. Bates' 3.49 time in the three-quarter court sprint was last among all participants.
"He really showed his shot-making ability in the scrimmages," said ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony. "That's what he does. He's a scorer. I think you look at his measurements, not really ideal in terms of 179 pounds, a wingspan that's shorter than his height in shoes, athletic testing, didn't test particularly well. I think we knew that about him. He's not the most explosive athlete out there.
"I see him as a guy who is a second-round pick, at best. I'm not sure that he's guaranteed to hear his name called. But he's 19 years old, so there's a long road ahead of him. I think he's a guy that NBA teams are going to kick the tires on, and he showed glimpses of his talent this week."
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Kendric Davis, Emoni Bates fared at NBA draft combine
