Bates 'beyond ready' for basketball season to begin

Redshirt freshman big man hasn't played in nearly two years because of shoulder injuries

Nobody on the NC State basketball roster is more anxious for the new season to begin than redshirt big man Manny Bates.

The 6-foot-11 power forward missed most of his senior season at Fayetteville's Northwood Temple Academy with a shoulder injury that required surgery. Then last August, shortly after enrolling at State, he suffered another injury to the same shoulder. He underwent a second surgery that forced him to redshirt the 2018-19 season.

Now that he's finally healthy again and ready to return to the court, he's excited about playing a major role for the Wolfpack.

"I'm beyond ready," Bates said Thursday at State's preseason media day.

The question is whether his shoulder is ready to withstand the physical rigors of a full season in the ACC.

Bates said that while the joint will always be a concern because of the nature of his injuries,  he has been assured by team doctors that he is 100 percent healthy. He added that he plans to wear a brace on both shoulders as a precaution.

Bates is a consensus four-star prospect considered one of the premier shot blockers in his class. 

He described himself as a high-motor energy type player whose primary role will be to contribute on the defensive end. His offensive skills are not as developed, although he said he's been working hard to improve his low post game.

"I'm developing more into my low post," he said, "but I'm more of a pick-and-roll."

According to coach Kevin Keatts, anything Bates does offensively is a bonus considering that he brings to the Wolfpack a defensive element the team hasn't had in the coach's two previous seasons in Raleigh.

"We haven't had a rim protector since I've been here," Keatts said. "Obviously we're a pressing and running team, so I think Manny provides that for us. I understand that he's a redshirt freshman and we will have to live with some of his mistakes. 

"But on the defensive end I need a guy to do a great job when we make mistakes and we gamble he can clean up some those mistakes."

The extent of Bates' role could be determined by the status of suspended junior big man D.J. Funderburk.

Keatts left the door open for the 6-10 Funderburk to return to active status, perhaps by the season opener against Georgia Tech on Nov. 5. But if he doesn't, Bates and graduate transfer Danny Dixon will be the only two true big men available for State.