The 2026 Eastern Wayne High School graduate grew up in Goldsboro surrounded by athletics. As the youngest of three siblings, Oates spent his childhood in an environment where sports were always part of the conversation—and his father, a longtime football coach and athletic director, played a major role in shaping his athletic journey.

Eastern Wayne erased a late seven-point deficit behind clutch defense and execution to defeat rival Goldsboro 57–54 in front of a packed house, securing its third straight win and a statement victory in the conference race.