NC State’s Manny Bates Officially Done for Season

Coming into the season, it was known full and well that this State team would go as far as Bates could go. Regardless of the win, Bates season-ending injury has made Tuesday night’s contest versus Bucknell a huge loss. Friday afternoon, State officially announced that Bates’ suffered a dislocated shoulder that will need additional care.

Less than a minute into the game, while reaching for a loose ball, Bates pulled up in obvious pain. In just as short of time, it was announced by NC State staff that he would not return. Wednesday brought news that additional MRI scans are needed.

Shoulders have always been an issue for Bates. Just two years ago he had surgery on his left shoulder. While that has held up, his right shoulder has been a lingering issue. It seems as though that all came to a head Tuesday.

What does that mean for Bates moving forward? Only time can tell. He’s NBA talent that now potentially has go under the knife, yet again. His career at State is most likely done, as he’d move to a European league or elsewhere to get back into rhythm and in front of scouts.

What this State team has to do now, however, is just as complex. Dowuona will NEED to step up. His first showing went as well as possible, considering the circumstance, getting 10 rebounds against Bucknell (two more than all of last season combine). Gibson and Seabron will need to use their length on defense and rebounding. Overall, this team just went, somehow, even smaller than just two days ago.

We presented some thoughts here. We’ll see what Keatts can will do heading into this weekend’s game.