Manny Bates participated in NC State’s Senior Day. Does this mean he’s gone after the season?

Did your heart sink when you saw NC State big man Manny Bates participate in senior day this past Saturday?

We don’t blame you. Bates has only played 2 full seasons with the Wolfpack and was injured just 1 minute into the season this year (which was supposed to be his junior season). His injury cost NC State a chance at being competitive in the ACC this year, but since he’s been absent from almost all NBA draft projections, fans have been hoping he’d come back for one more go-round.

So what should you make of Bates joining Thomas Allen and Jericole Hellems in the senior day festivities prior to the UNC game on Saturday? Let’s look closer…

N.C. State’s Senior Day festivities offered a bit of intrigue and surprise as junior forward Manny Bates was among those honored. Bates’ 147 career blocks ranks fourth in school history. https://t.co/LvkyOrhCie

— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) February 26, 2022

Bates redshirted his freshman year. He then played 2 seasons before injuring his shoulder this season. So he’s been at NC State for 4 years. According to sources, Bates has done well in the classroom and is closing in on being eligible to graduate after the season. So, is he gone?

Not so fast.

Bates participated in Senior Day, but he wasn’t given a framed jersey like Allen and Hellems were. This leads us to believe that Bates participated in the festivities to celebrate his success in the classroom, and not as a final ‘goodbye’ to the big man.

As we’ve stated. Bates isn’t on any draft boards, but he does have NBA potential. In fact, he shot an elite 64% from the floor last season, averaged 10 points and 6 boards, while blocking 2.7 shots per game. He began to showcase a little jumper late in the season and Kevin Keatts hinted at Bates having the green light to shoot some 3s this year.

Unfortunately, Bates wasn’t able to showcase his new offensive weapon, and the NBA scouts are left to wonder just how effective he’d be offensively at the next level.

So will Bates be back? No one is sure, likely not even Bates himself. But it’s not unprecedented for a player to participate in senior day festivities and opt to return to the team. Just this past season Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter (along with a few others) participated and then decided to come back.

Running list of underclassmen players who are participating in senior day (reminder not all are definitely leaving but walking just in case): Kicker Chris Dunn, punter Trenton Gill, running backs Ricky Person and Zonovan Knight, receivers Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter (1/2)

— The Wolfpacker (@TheWolfpacker) November 27, 2021

So again, we’ll have to wait and see.