Emoni Bates, the Cavaliers up-and-coming rookie, has been selected to replace Ron Holland on Team Detlef for the 2024 Panini Rising Stars. This annual showcase of premier young talent at NBA All-Star is set to take place on Friday, Feb. 16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis and will be aired live at 9 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States.
This will be the first time Bates, a 6-8 rookie, will participate in Panini Rising Stars. He has already made quite an impression in his 10 games with the Cavaliers, who picked him with the 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Bates is averaging 18.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 33.7 minutes in 10 games with the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ NBA G League affiliate. And that’s not all! During NBA All-Star 2024, Bates will also compete in the NBA G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Unfortunately, Holland has suffered a right thumb injury and won’t be able to participate in Panini Rising Stars or the NBA G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T. Holland, who was set to play for the team with three-time NBA All-Star and Indiana Pacers legend Detlef Schrempf as its honorary head coach, will be replaced by Adama Sanogo, the Chicago Bulls Two-Way forward. Nonetheless, we are excited to see Bates showcase his skills on the court during this thrilling event.