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NBA Draft: Analyzing Emoni Bates’ subpar pro day measurements

Ypsi Prep forward Emoni Bates (21) celebrates a play against SPIRE Academy during the second half at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, Saturday, March 13, 2021.
Ypsi Prep forward Emoni Bates (21) celebrates a play against SPIRE Academy during the second half at Central Academy in Ann Arbor, Saturday, March 13, 2021.
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Elton Brand Philadelphia 76’ers
Elton Brand Philadelphia 76’ers

Key measurements and stats for Bates

Vertical leap (standing vertical) is one of the more discussed numbers during pro days and the combine. Bates came in at 24.5 inches. For comparison, Iowa’s Luka Garza, who many have criticized for his seeming lack of athleticism, had a standing vertical leap of 24.0 inches at the 2021 Combine. Dead last. Bates would have been next to last. His approach vertical (max vertical leap) of 31.5 inches would have put him fourth from last.

A three-quarter court sprint time of 3.72 would have earned him last place by a decent margin at the 2021 Combine. Garza clocked in at 3.51 with Alabama’s John Petty next to last at 3.35.

A 4-way agility time of 12.882 would have put him dead last at the Combine. A shuttle run time of 3.472 would have put him fifth from last. We were given eight new measurements for Bates from Memphis’ pro day. All eight would have put him in the bottom five at the most recent NBA Draft Combine.

Perhaps most importantly, Bates is 17. That means that he has two years until he actually has to measure in officially for NBA Draft purposes. Bates is a special talent who has plenty of time to build up some of these strength and agility categories, starting that process on a Memphis team that should be incredibly fun to watch.