NC State forward Manny Bates will enter the transfer portal, he announced on Tuesday.

“I am forever grateful that I was able to call this place my home,” Bates wrote in-part. “It has been extremely hard for me to come to this decision, but after many difficult talks with my family and close friends, I have decided to enter the transfer portal.

“I feel like this is the next step in my journey and I ask that you please respect my decision. I wish coach Keatts and his program nothing but the best.”

As a sophomore in 2020-21, Bates was a very effective player. He averaged 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and was expected to be a key player for the Wolfpack this past season.

However, Bates missed all but 1 minute of the 2021-22 season due to injury. The Wolfpack never found a way to replace his impact and ultimately finished 11-21 this season.

NC State will have to prepare for extreme roster turnover this offseason. The Wolfpack’s two best player from this year — Terquavion Smith and Dereon Seabron — are both testing the NBA Draft waters and may leave the program to start their professional careers.

Bates is originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina.