The G League’s version of the All-Star Game, known as the Next Up Game, is set to feature Cavaliers rookie forward Emoni Bates.
Scheduled to be held at G League Park within the NBA Crossover event at the Indiana Convention Center on February 18, the Next Up Game coincides with the NBA All-Star Game. Bates secured his spot in the event through fan voting, landing him in tenth place.
Through five regular-season appearances with the Cleveland Charge, Bates, drafted 49th overall by the Cavaliers in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been averaging 24.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. His shooting percentages stand at 41.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Additionally, Bates participated in 10 games at the G League Showcase Cup, where he posted averages of 24.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while shooting 46% from the field and 42% from three-point range.
Despite limited playing time, Bates has managed to contribute 1.8 points per game in 10 appearances for the Cavaliers.
The roster for the Next Up Game includes players chosen through fan voting, NBAGL selections, and selections from the G League Ignite fan vote. Notable names among the roster include Luka Garza, Ashton Hagans, and Collin Gillespie. Additionally, the asterisk (*) denotes two-way players.
