Cavs’ JB Bickerstaff on rookie Emoni Bates: ‘The best is yet to come’

Emoni Bates debuted with the Cavaliers on Tuesday, and made the most of his opportunity on the court in a loss to the Hawks.

Emoni Bates debuted with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, and the 49th pick made the most of his opportunity on the court in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Bates checked into the game late in the third quarter and played the final 13 minutes and 36 seconds of the game, recording 10 points, two rebounds, one steal and one block in the 108-107 loss. He went 4-of-7 from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.

One of those 3s nearly won the Cavaliers the game.

He hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 10.5 seconds left to play to put the Cavaliers up by two points. But Trent Forrest responded on the other end with an and-1 to send the Hawks to the one-point victory.

Coach JB Bickerstaff was impressed by him taking that shot.

“He is a really good basketball player,” Bickerstaff said, according to Serena Winters of Bally Sports Cleveland. “He has the ability to make open shots, but he also has the ability to create shots for himself. When you have a guy like that, that’s been through the pressure that he’s been through since he was 12 years old, that last shot meant nothing. He has seen way worse so to have the courage to create that shot (and) knock it down was big time. I think the best is yet to come.”

Bates signed a two-way contract with the Cavaliers out of Eastern Michigan. The team will have the opportunity to get a closer look at him throughout the preseason since he will spend much of the season with the Cleveland Charge in the G League.

The upcoming season should serve as a great opportunity for Bates to continue his development in the NBA and G League. He was once viewed as a top prospect and showed why in a limited sample size on Tuesday.

Cleveland returns to action on Thursday versus Orlando.

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