The Sixers are taking a chance on 21-year-old Emoni Bates, once called the “next Kevin Durant.” Drafted by the Cavaliers in 2023, he only played 25 games in two seasons. Now, he’s joining Philadelphia on an Exhibit 10 deal, looking for a fresh start and a real opportunity to prove himself.

And behind that 21-year-old chasing redemption? The parents who have stood beside him from day one, shaping his path and carrying the weight of those early expectations, too.

Who are Emoni Bates’ parents?

Emoni Bates was born to Elgin “E.J.” Bates and Edith Bates, two people who have been the backbone of his journey since day one. His father, E.J., knows the game from experience—he played college basketball at Kentucky Wesleyan, then went on to spend five years playing professionally in Germany and Switzerland. When his own career wrapped up, he poured everything into creating opportunities for his son and other young players. He founded Bates Fundamentals, a training program with its own AAU team, and even launched Ypsi Prep Academy to give Emoni exposure against top competition.

His mother, Edith, has been just as steady in his life, balancing her professional work with her support at home. She works with the American Red Cross and also as a logistics supervisor for UPS. While E.J. built basketball platforms, Edith has been the quiet strength holding it all together. Together, they’ve given not just to their son but to their community—guiding, organizing, and creating spaces where young athletes like Emoni could dream bigger.

What is the ethnicity of Emoni Bates’ parents?

Both Elgin and Edith Bates are American, rooted in Michigan—the same place where Emoni was born and raised. While their exact ethnicity isn’t publicly confirmed, it’s widely understood that the family identifies as African American.

Michigan shaped their story, and it’s where the Bates legacy first began to unfold.

Inside Emoni Bates’ relationship with his parents

Reddit threads have long buzzed with one recurring theme about Emoni Bates: the heavy hand of his father. Some fans call Elgin “E.J.” Bates the textbook example of an over-involved parent — one who bounced his son from school to school, even founding a prep academy just to showcase him. To those outsiders, it looked less like development and more like hype-building, ensuring Emoni always had the ball in his hands for highlights, even if it came at the cost of team play. Many still argue that this constant spotlight — and constant control — stunted what could have been a smoother basketball journey.

And yet, as The Athletic once reported, there’s another side. Around the game, those who know Emoni well push back on the idea that it’s all toxic. They point out that his father’s involvement, though intense, comes from a place of love. As one coach put it, “The dad is involved, but he really means well. The kid loves his parents. They just want to protect him.” It’s a reminder that what looks like meddling from the outside can sometimes feel, on the inside, like unwavering support — even if that support casts a shadow as long as Emoni’s 6’10” frame.

Despite the noise and criticism, Emoni Bates’ story is one of family, sacrifice, and love. His parents’ guidance, intense as it is, has shaped his journey, giving him tools, protection, and a spotlight to grow. At the end of the day, behind the highlights and headlines, it’s a young man navigating his path with the people who’ve always believed in him.