WATCH: Emoni Bates hit with technical foul after taunting Michigan players
In his first game with Eastern Michigan, Emoni Bates had a highlight reel dunk over Michigan defenders. He let the Wolverines know about it, too — and it led to a technical foul on the Michigan native.
Bates got the offensive rebound off an Orlando Lovejoy miss and threw down a ferocious dunk to put Eastern Michigan ahead 26-23 with 6:43 to play in the first half. Understandably, he was fired up and had some words for the Wolverines afterward. The officials then hit him with a technical foul.
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Bates started his career with Memphis last year but entered the transfer portal after the season before heading home to Eastern Michigan. He missed the Eagles’ season opener against Wayne State earlier this week, but got off to an impressive start against Michigan on Friday, making five of his first seven shots for 12 first-half points at the time of the foul.
Bates’ time at Eastern Michigan got off to a tumultuous start, though. He was arrested on felony gun charges in September and was suspended indefinitely as a result. However, he got the charges dropped after a plea deal and the Eagles reinstated him.
He then released a lengthy statement about the situation, opening up on how he wants to change himself after the incident.
“The crazy thing about living your life on state is the inability to escape judgement, and experience the growing pains of life as a normal adolescent — privately,” Bates wrote. “I hold myself accountable for making a poor decision, and hope you can forgive me as I grow because this will not be my last mistake, however; a lasting stigma to remind me of the severity of such a mistake.
“I hope my mistake can inspire others to think before acting. Growth is a lifetime experience, I will harness the value within this lesson and continue to be of service to my community.”