Bates is Wolfpack's New Kid on the 'Block'

The redshirt freshman big man has rejected 12 shots in his first two college games

Charles LeClair/USAToday sports

Detroit Mercy's Chris Brandon put a spin move on NC State defender C.J. Bryce, giving himself what he thought was a clear path to the basket during the first half of Sunday's game at PNC Arena.

But instead of getting a layup or dunk, Brandon ran into a 6-foot, 10-inch roadblock with an Inspector Gadget arm that swatted the ball right back at him.

It was one of seven shots Manny Bates blocked in the game, an 84-65 Wolfpack victory. More important, it was a warning to future opponents that they're going to have to work harder to get the ball to the basket this season than they have in previous years..

"Manny is a game-changer on the back end of the press," State coach Kevin Keatts said after Sunday's game. "He had seven blocks tonight. I have to ask everyone to be a little patient with him. 

"When you first think of a post guy you think about the effectiveness offensively, but that doesn’t account for the mistakes that we make that he can erase with his shot-blocking ability. He averaging six blocks a game. He is getting better and is going to continue to get more confident in his role."

Bates' shot-blocking ability has allowed the Wolfpack's already aggressive defense to turn up the heat even more because of the safety net he provides around the rim.

His seven blocks against Detroit Mercy are the most by an ACC player in this young season and ties the sixth-highest single game total in program history. Bates currently ranks third nationally in blocked shots per game.

That contribution has more than offset the redshirt freshman's early struggles on the offensive end of the floor, where he has made only four of his first 12 field goal attempts and two of his first six free throws heading into Wednesday's home game against Florida International.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Bates is such a work in progress, considering that he spent the past two years off the court rehabbing from multiple shoulder surgeries. State's opener against Georgia Tech on Nov. 5 was his first game representing his school since Feb. 24, 2017, a span of 985 days.

Though he still has obvious signs of rust from the extended layoff, including the mishandling of an ill-advised pass from teammate Devon Daniels on the final possession of overtime in the opener, Bates said he's getting more comfortable with each game he plays.

“It’s like riding a bike," he said. "After the first game and the practices coming up to this game, I just wanted to get back and realize that it’s just a faster pace and guys are bigger, faster and stronger.”

Bates said that he's working hard on improving his low post moves and expect his offensive game to eventually catch up with his defensive work.

Until then, he's content to be State's shot-blocking eraser -- a role for which he takes "a lot of pride."

“I embrace everyone driving in towards me so I can correct their mistake," said Bates, who wears a harness on his shoulders as a hedge against another injury. That’s my biggest thing I’ve been working on. Just blocking shots and still working on trying to get rebounds.”