How Manny Bates is Growing Into Dominance

RALEIGH, N.C. – It has been an extremely long journey for four-star recruit and Northwood Temple Academy graduate Manny Bates, but Wolfpack fans are starting to see a change, and the redshirt sophomores’ full potential has been brought to the light in and out of PNC Arena. 

Remaining on the bench for nearly two years, Manny Bates is a guy who didn’t play as a freshman but took the time to grow and learn as a redshirt, and is now shining as a red-shirt sophomore.

 Last season, Bates became a force to be reckoned with for the Red and White. Bates appeared in 29 games starting in 26 out of the 29. He averaged 5.1 points per game on 65.7 shooting. He made 48.6 percent of his free throws, had 50 offensive rebounds and 67 defensive rebounds ending the season with 117 rebounds in total. 

With stats like these, Bates finished sixth in the nation in blocks. He had seven blocked shots tied for the sixth-most in a single game in program history and tied for second-most in a game in PNC Arena history. Bates led the team in blocks in 23 games and in rebounding four times and scored in double figures four times concluding the end of his 2019-2020 season.

Bates came into the 2020-2021  season physically looking like a new man, but what changed? “He’s gotten better, extremely better, and I’ve got to give him credit…He’s gotten better because he’s worked at it” states head coach Kevin Keatts. 

A light bulb went off for the 6’11” forward and it wasn’t just on the court, Bates seemed to come in with a whole new mindset. After feeling “pushed around” in the previous season, Manny refused to be defeated.  In the offseason, Bates added some good weight, bulked up his upper body, and worked on both his confidence and ability to maneuver the ball.

The Wolfpack are now three games into their conference season sitting at 6-2 overall, after their OT loss to Clemson on Tuesday, January 5th. Thus far the redshirt sophomore is averaging 9.5 points per game, he has a total of 25 blocks, 41 rebounds, and has made 71 percent of his free through. 

Coach Keatts feels that Bates is already having a great season and is proving that he will show the Wolfpack fans that each year he is growing to be a better athlete both mentally and physically. 

Fans can keep up with Manny Bates and the Wolfpack this season in Raleigh, N.C. at PNC Arena. The Wolfpack play their next game back home on Saturday, January 9th against the Miami Hurricanes at 12 Noon.