The Eastern Michigan Eagles waited a quarter of a century to send an NBA Draft prospect, but that long drought ended Thursday night at the Barclays Center in New York.
Eastern Michigan small forward Emoni Bates was selected as the 49th overall pick in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first player from the university taken since Derrick Dial in 1998. Bates is the 15th Eastern Michigan selection in NBA Draft history, appearing on a list of names which most notably includes San Antonio Spurs legend and Hall of Famer George Gervin. He is the highest player chosen from the program since Grant Long, who warranted the 33rd overall pick in 1988.