NC State forward Manny Bates enters the transfer portal

NC State’s Manny Bates plans to enter the transfer portal, he tells On3. The 6-foot-11 forward suffered a shoulder dislocation one minute into the season opener against Bucknell and missed the entire 2021-22 season.

I’m just heartbroken,” NC State head coach Kevin Keatts said of Bates’ injury. “I’m heartbroken for Manny because he’s overcome so much to become the incredible player he is. He does everything the right way. He doesn’t take shortcuts. He’s a prime example of everything I want an NC State basketball player to be on and off the court. I know Manny has the work ethic and positive mental attitude to come back from this. I know he’ll come back stronger and I know Manny’s best basketball is still ahead of him.”

Bates led the ACC in blocked shots in his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He was also recently named in an anonymous poll of ACC players conducted by The Athletic as the hardest player to score against in the ACC.

During the 2020-21 season, the Fayetteville, N.C., native averaged 9.8 points on 64.1% from the field, to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest.

Statement from Bates

“Dear Wolfpack Nation, I would like to start by saying thank you to Coach Keatts and the coaching staff for investing and believing in my abilities these past four years. This has been such an amazing journey, and I am grateful to have experienced it in this program. I would also like to thank Wolfpack Nation for the unbelievable amount of love that has been shown through the ups and downs of my journey here.  I am forever grateful that I was able to call this place my home.

“It has been extremely hard to come to this decision, but after many difficult talks with my family and close friends I have decided to enter the transfer portal. I feel like this is the next step in my journey and I ask that you please respect my decision. I wish Coach Keatts and his program nothing but the best,” Bates said in a statement to On3.

Coming out of high school, the former four-star prospect received offers from the likes of Louisville, Purdue, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Virginia, and others before ultimately committing to the Wolfpack.