When rumors began trickling out 24- hours ago, State basketball fans’ heads started spinning. If there was one guy that seemed like a “for sure piece” to the 2021 Wolfpack team, it was Manny Bates.
Rumors have been corroborated by everyone from Pack Pride to Joe Giglio. Some think it might end with Bates entering the NBA Draft, others have heard that he has gained interest from other schools with bigger promises. Regardless, with him being the centerpiece of the defense and a great chance to elevate scoring and rebounding without Funderburk, there was mass confusion all around.
To only further muddy the waters, he was reportedly at a team meeting Tuesday afternoon. Craig Hammel, State’s Director of Athletics Communication and SID for the Men’s Basketball team tweeted;
Had the opportunity to meet our new @PackMensBball players today in the first team meeting of the 2021-22 season. Great group of guys. Like this team a lot. Had the entire team there except for Ernest Ross who will join the program for summer session II.
To say this is a fluid situation is an understatement. No official word that Bates has entered the draft, nor had his name placed in the NCAA transfer portal. It does seem interesting, that if he were to leave for either of those situations and in the middle of the biggest State Basketball Twitter storm since Gottfried investigation, that he’d still be attending meetings.
Maybe Keatts can keep him onboard? Maybe it’s just a last appearance? We’ll break news as soon as it becomes available.
The Wolfpack drew a no-nonsense first game, playing against Kansas, the defending National Champions. Then, they will either play Wisconsin or Dayton. Wisconsin finished last season with a 25-8 overall record, a #14 ranking in the AP Poll, losing in the 2nd of the NCAA Tournament to Iowa State. Dayton finished last season with a 24-11 overall record, losing in the 2nd round of the NIT to Vanderbilt.
A couple of days ago, Terquavion Smith and Greg Gantt were handed the camera to show State fans just what gameday is like through the player’s eyes. The guys chronicle a day in the Bahamas as they participate in walkthroughs, downtime at the hotel and pregame shootaround.
Watching his highlights from games is probably a better indicator of what we’ll see on the court come November. bit watching these workouts (which are kind of showcasing his skills without any defenders) give a better glimpse of his potential.
While everyone was focused on the upcoming football season, or discussing NC State basketball’s coming trip to the Bahamas, something happened.
NC State landed a commitment from 7-foot stretch forward, Mady Traore. And he’ll be eligible to play THIS season.
Surely, a guy committing this late in the process isn’t going to be a difference maker, right? It’s probably a guy no one has heard of. Someone who has slipped through the cracks.
But what if I told you that Taore, a French native (who has moved around quite a bit in recent years) had offers from Auburn, Kansas, Oregon, LSU, Arizona, Illinois, Florida, and many, many more.
Intrigued?
Well, we are. Especially after watching some of his recent film.
NC State got in on Traore late after seeing him at the NBA camp in early July. But the story is kind of strange because after coming over to America midway through high school, he really jumped around to different schools. Maybe he was trying to find a place where he’d be showcased? But either way, all the moving made it hard to keep track of him. The one connection he does have to the Pack is LJ Thomas. The NC State incoming freshman, Thomas, played for Bull City prep and during all his moving, Traore spent a small amount of time with the AAU team at one point.
Whatever the story is, Traore committed to NC State on July 29th.
Here he is talking to Pro Insights, explaining what Pack fans can expect of him.
Traore wasn’t on campus yet, so he couldn’t make the trip to the Bahamas with the team, but he should be ready to go when the team returns.
What can we expect?
Well, we’re not sure. It’s likely Traore won’t be in the main rotation to start the season, but it wouldn’t surprise me for him to start seeing minutes at some point this season. He is 7 feet tall and can guard almost any position.
So is he a project player? Depends on your definition of that. I think this kid has all the tools necessary to be an eventual NBA talent. The question is, can he put it all together? He needs to bulk up, get more physical and just get more experience at a high level.
He’s got a 7’3 wing span. He can shoot it. He’s athletic, shifty, and has great footwork and coordination for a 7-footer. His handle is a little suspect, but he seems to have a pretty good court IQ. He looks like a coachable kid with a high motor. Pair that with his God-given tools, and well, Keatts and company may have just snatched up an eventual elite level talent under everyone’s nose.
NC State added a 6'11 piece to their 2022 recruiting class in Mady Traore. What will he be able to bring to the table for the Wolfpack? #PhenomHoops
Let’s hope so. Great news it would be.