Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates arrested on gun charge, suspended from team

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Eastern Michigan University standout basketball player Emoni Bates was charged with two felonies on Monday following a traffic stop where an officer found a gun in a car, and was subsequently suspended by EMU. 

Bates was pulled over after not stopping at an intersection, and a search of the vehicle found a weapon, Washtenaw County (Mich.) sheriff's office spokesman Derrick Jackson said via the Associated Press. 

Bates’ attorney, Steve Haney, says the vehicle and gun didn’t belong to his client. 

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Emoni Bates #1 of the Memphis Tigers shoots a free throw against the Murray State Racers during a game on December 10, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Murray State defeated Memphis 74-72. (Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

"I hope people can reserve judgment and understand there’s a presumption of innocence," he said. "This was not his vehicle. This was not his gun.

"This is his first brush with the law. He poses no threat or risk to society."

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Bates was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and altering identification marks on a firearm. Haney entered a not guilty plea, which allowed Bates to be released with his next hearing at court on Oct. 6. 

"We are aware of a situation involving men's basketball student-athlete Emoni Bates," Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee said in a statement Monday via The Detroit News. "Eastern Michigan University takes all allegations of this nature very seriously. Per department policy, he has been suspended automatically from practice and playing privileges until the legal process is resolved. Because this