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Will they be back next season? An update on the NBA Draft stock of Seabron and Bates

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2 years ago

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Sure, there is still a lot of basketball to play this season, but it’s never to early to start trying to figure out what this NC State team is going to look like next year.

The biggest questions revolve around whether or not Dereon Seabron and Manny Bates decide to return. However, that is something we won’t know because Seabron and Bates likely don’t currently know for sure.

All (or most) of it depends on where they’re projected to go in the NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at where the latest projections have them going. We’ll focus on the largest Mock Draft sites that project out 2 rounds. None of the ones that have just the first round have either Seabron or Bates listed.

ESPN Mock Draft(formally DraftExpress.com)
Seabron- Undrafted
Bates- Undrafted

NBADraft.net
Seabron- #33 (third pick of 2nd round)
Bates- Undrafted

Tankathon.com
Seabron- Undrafted
Bates- Undrafted

Bleacher Report Mock Draft
Seabron- #28 (1st round)
Bates- Undrafted

USA Today Mock Draft
Seabron – #60 (last pick of 2nd round)
Bates – Undrafted

So far, that’s it. So what is the takeaway?

Well, Seabron only slots into the first round in the Bleacher Report mock. If he were to get selected there, he’d be guaranteed about $3 million over his first two years with options for year three and year four. If he were able to get those options picked up he’d be bringing in nearly $10 million.

If Seabron moves up the board at all or is a sure-fire first-rounder, he’s gone. No one should pass up that kind of guaranteed money.

However, if he slips to the second round things get interesting. If he’s picked with the #33 pick, like NBADraft.net suggests, then he’ll likely make a $2 million over his first two years with an option for his third year. He’d be likely to get that $2 million guaranteed at signing.

But if he slips to the #60 pick as USA Today suggests, then he’ll still get a contract worth around $2 million over two years, but he’ll only get about $500,000 guaranteed. That’s not as enticing.

There is no reason for Seabron, a sophomore, to leave if he’s going to project late in the 2nd round or go undrafted. He’s too good. If he were to come back another year, focus on improving his jumper, and move solidly into the first round, he’d be guaranteeing himself money that won’t just change his life, but his kid’s, kid’s, kid’s lives. But if I’m him and I’m getting the word that I’m a likely 1st rounder or early 2nd rounder, then bye-bye!

A lot depends on how this season ends for him. Lately, teams have been keying on him and really trying to limit his paint touches. It’s been working to an extent. He’s only had one double-double in the past 5 games, and he’s scored below his average of 19 the past 4 games (the last two he’s had 13 in each).

Seabron needs to get a respectable jump shot. He’s got decent form, he just needs an off-season of working with a shooting coach daily and he’ll be fine. The NBA will help him do that, but he can do it at NC State too. The question will be about math.

His ceiling with a jumper is potentially a lottery pick, and those guys are getting $20 million guaranteed. Does he bet on himself, stay another year at NC State, and showcase his new jump shot? Or does he cash in early and take the money that’s there for the taking.

If the question is between $20 million and $2 million guaranteed, I can see him leaving, taking that $2 million, and trying to earn the rest during his career. However, if the question is staying and trying to get that $20 million guaranteed, or leaving and likely taking $500,000 guaranteed (or nothing guaranteed if he goes undrafted), then I think the decision gets a LOT tougher, and I suspect he’d stay.

As for Bates, he isn’t listed anywhere, which, maybe I’m crazy, but it surprised me a little. Bates had some really good offensive games last season and everyone knows he’s probably the best shot-blocker in college basketball when healthy. But then again, the NBA has changed. The centers are either long, bouncy athletic freaks who can attack off the dribble, or more stationary bigs who can block shots, pass, and knock down jumpers. Bates is the latter, and I’m guessing his small sample size of showcasing that last year, coupled with his injury, isn’t exciting that many NBA execs right now.

Bates has been at every practice and at every game. He seems engaged and excited to root on his teammates. It’s almost as if he’s plotting on coming back next season. Who knows though. He could leave and try his hand at signing a free-agent contract, but if Bates comes back and showcases the offensive prowess Keatts was touting preseason, then he’s likely a second-round pick, and that is guaranteed millions if you move up the board enough.

At the end of the day, it’s a wait-and-see thing. These kids will have EVERYONE and their mother in their ears. Some will tell them to cash out, some will tell them to be patient and earn the big payday. I’d assume these draft boards will have more pull than any of them. So we wait and watch.

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Rev
Rev
1 year ago

The hardest part about these predictions is the totally changed landscape of both college and pro ball. In years past, there is no way Seabron goes pro, yet. However, paying these guys hundreds of thousands of dollars to “ride the bus” in the G league is the reality of today’s NBA. I think COVID will devalue the European option, so Manny could well play another year of college ball, hopefully at NCSU. BUT I never expected to see him suit up for the Pack after the injury. It is exciting just to have an outside chance for him to return.… Read more »

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NC State Basketball

NC State to Honor David Thompson with Statue Outside Reynolds Coliseum

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1 day ago

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September 25, 2023

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RALEIGH – NC State University will pay tribute to three-time All-American David Thompson with a statue sculpted in his honor that will be placed outside of Reynolds Coliseum.

The unveiling will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, the day of the Wolfpack men’s basketball team’s annual Heritage Game at Reynolds Coliseum, and will be open to the public.

“This is such a deserved honor for the greatest basketball player to ever wear an NC State jersey,” NC State Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan said. “He is one of the most iconic players to ever play in the ACC and our hope is that this statue will ensure that generations of NC State students and fans will always remember the legacy and contributions of David Thompson.”

Thompson is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in college basketball history. A 2008 ESPN story ranked him as one of the ten best college basketball players of all-time, and he is regarded as one of greatest athletes in Atlantic Coast Conference history.

The Boiling Spring, N.C., native played three seasons at NC State from 1972-75 and was a unanimous first-team All-American at the conclusion of all three seasons. He was also named the ACC Player of the Year all three seasons.

He was named the Associated Press National Player of the Year in 1974 and 1975 and remains one of just five players in college basketball history to win multiple AP National Player of the Year honors.

Thompson immediately made his mark on the Pack, helping lead NC State to an undefeated season (27-0) in 1973. The Pack dominated the 1972-73 season and was at the top or near the top of the polls all season as Thompson averaged 24.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Thompson returned in the 1973-74 season and led the Wolfpack to a 30-1 record and the school’s first NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball National Title.

In the Final Four, Thompson and the Wolfpack met up with UCLA, the seven-time reigning National Champions and the only team to have defeated NC State that season. The Pack trailed 74-67 in the second overtime when Thompson’s heroics helped lead NC State back. Thompson pulled down a defensive rebound and made the go-ahead basket with under one minute remaining and then made two free throws with 38 seconds to go to give the Pack a 78-75 double overtime win in a game that is still considered one of the greatest Final Four games ever played.

Thompson finished the game with 28 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Bill Walton and the Bruins.
Two nights later, the Pack won the National Title over Marquette, 76-64, behind 21 points from Thompson. Thompson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

To make it into the NCAA Tournament, the Pack defeated fourth-ranked Maryland, 103-100, in overtime in the 1974 ACC Championship, in a game that is routinely considered one of the best games in college basketball history.

As a senior, Thompson averaged 29.9 points, still the highest single season average in NC State history. He scored an NC State and ACC record 57 points in an early season win over Buffalo State. The Pack started the season ranked No. 1 in the nation and never fell out of the top-10, but lost in the ACC Championship game to end its season. The Pack finished the season ranked seventh in the nation but because the NCAA Tournament at that time only allowed the conference champion into the tournament its season was over.

Thompson closed his career with 2,309 points in 86 career games. He led the ACC in scoring all three seasons and was NC State and the ACC’s career scoring leader when he graduated.

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NC State Basketball

Former NC State Basketball Player Torin Dorn Joins Coaching Staff of G-League SLC Stars

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2 days ago

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September 24, 2023

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Former NC State basketball player Torin Dorn has joined the staff of the Salt Lake City Stars, the G-League team for the Utah Jazz. Dorn’s title is Player Development Associate/Assistant Coach.

After playing 3 seasons at NC State, Dorn went on to play professionally overseas in Poland and Czech Republic, before joining the Wolfpack coaching staff last season as a Graduate Manager.

Dorn will be working under newly appointed head coach Steve Wojciechowski (former Duke PG), who was the head coach at Marquette the past 7 seasons.

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NC State Basketball

NC State Guard MJ Rice Will Be Returning Soon After Stepping Away for a Period of Time

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6 days ago

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September 20, 2023

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NC State Guard MJ Rice (6’5″/215) announced yesterday that due to personal reasons, he had to step away from the basketball program, but was excited to be back with his teammates soon. He was clear that his commitment to NC State hasn’t wavered.

(Tweet)

Life is much bigger than sports. These young men are human beings first and foremost, and as we all know, this life is never simple and easy.

Rice transferred to NC State this offseason from Kansas with three years of eligibility remaining. The former High School McDonald’s All-American didn’t get a lot of playing time in his Freshman season at Kansas, averaging 7.6 minutes per game in only 23 games played.

Coming out of Prolific Prep in California, Rice averaged 20.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as a Senior. Rivals ranked him as a 5-star prospect, ON3 ranked him 24th nationally, and ESPN ranked him as the #1 player in the state of North Carolina.

Whatever Rice is working through, we value him as a person more than we do a player.

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NC State Announces Hiring of Larry Dixon as NC State Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

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1 month ago

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August 24, 2023

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RALEIGH – NC State men’s basketball head coach Kevin Keatts announced Wednesday that Larry Dixon has joined his staff as an assistant coach.

Dixon comes to NC State after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach at South Florida.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors voted in January to allow two more assistant coaches on men’s basketball staffs. Dixon, will serve as one of the Pack’s two new assistant coaches that can engage in coaching activities but may not recruit off campus.

“I think Larry is a great addition to our staff,” Keatts said. “He’s a North Carolina native that has dedicated himself to a coaching career since graduating from college. He started at the high school level in North Carolina and eventually moved up to college and now has been a Division I assistant coach for almost 20 years. I think his experience is going to be a great asset for me and our coaching staff, as well as the young men in our program as we develop them on and off the court.”

Larry Dixon joined the USF coaching staff as assistant coach on May 12, 2018.

In just his second season with the team in 2018-19, Dixon helped USF to the top win turnaround in the NCAA during the 2018-19 season, as the Bulls won 14 more games than the previous season. In addition, USF turned in a 24-14 overall record to set a new single-season school record for wins. The Bulls would go on to win the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) championship and claim the program’s first postseason title since 1990.

Dixon also played an instrumental role in the development of 2019 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Laquincy Rideau and 2019 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year Alexis Yetna.

Dixon helped USF become one of the top defensive teams in the NCAA during the 2019-20 season, finishing the year ranked 20th in scoring defense by allowing only 62.7 points per game. The Bulls limited eight teams to fewer than 60 points during the season and held 27 of their 31 opponents under their scoring average at the time of play. The Bulls also ranked 44th in the nation in turnovers forced with 15.6 per game, and stood 65th in the NCAA in steals with 7.5 thefts per game.

In 2021-22, Dixon helped develop Russel Tchewa and Corey Walker Jr. into one of the best frontcourt tandems in the league. The Bulls were again among the top defensive teams in the country, ranking 45th in the NCAA in scoring defense (64.9 ppg).

Dixon came to Tampa after five seasons as an assistant at Georgia Southern under head coach Mark Byington. Prior to his stint with the Eagles, Dixon had collegiate assistant coaching jobs at Winthrop (2007-12), East Carolina (2005-07), South Carolina State (2003-05) and St. Andrews College (2002-03).

In his final season at Georgia Southern, Dixon helped lead the Eagles to a 21-12 record, including an 11-7 mark in the Sun Belt. In 2016-17, he helped Georgia Southern reach the postseason for the first time since 2006, playing in the College Basketball Invitational.

Prior to arriving at Georgia Southern, Dixon spent the 2012-13 season as head coach at York Comprehensive High School in York, S.C.

During his five seasons (2007-12) on the coaching staff at Winthrop under head coach Randy Peele, Dixon was recognized as the top assistant coach in the Big South by Fox Sports.

Before entering the college game, Dixon served as the head coach at Garinger High School in Charlotte, N.C. for three seasons. In 2001, he led Garinger to a North Carolina High School sectional championship and earned Mecklenburg County Coach of the Year honors from the Charlotte Observer. Dixon also spent one season as an assistant at Carver High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. and one season at South Rowan High School in his hometown of Salisbury, N.C.

Dixon graduated from Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, N.C) in 1996, where he was a four-year letterman as a player. He was named the team’s most improved player following his junior season and the top defensive player after his senior season. He helped the Golden Bulls to a pair of CIAA Southern Division titles and a championship game appearance as a sophomore.

A native of Salisbury, N.C., Dixon has two children, Devin and Leah.

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