NC State Basketball: What Manny Bates’ transfer means for Wolfpack
Where NC State Basketball goes from here
If we assume that Smith and Seabron both return, that leaves NC State with seven returning scholarship players. Keatts also has two incoming freshmen in four-star Shawn Phillips and three-star LJ Thomas, which puts the Pack at nine total scholarships.
Keep in mind, the program only has 12 available scholarships for 2022-23 as a penalty for recruiting violations dating back to the Mark Gottfried era. That leaves Kevin Keatts with three available scholarships to try to rebuild this roster in a must-win year for him.
It’s also important to remember that this is a team that finished dead last in the ACC this season and — for the first time in the history of NC State basketball — racked up 20+ losses in a season.
That said, the transfer portal taketh, but it can also giveth. The portal makes it possible to transform a roster in one offseason. Take a trip down I-40 for the perfect example with Steve Forbes and Wake Forest, which went from six wins to 25 wins in one year with a roster made up almost entirely of transfers.
Considering last year’s struggles defensively, Keatts should probably look for some size, physicality, toughness, and defense in the portal. Adding a point guard or an additional playmaker also wouldn’t hurt, as Terquavion Smith is more of a combo guard or shooting guard than a true point guard.
Next. Arkansas lands five-star guard Anthony Black. dark
One name to keep an eye on is East Carolina G Tristen Newton, who entered the transfer portal on Monday. Newton averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this past season. According to Travis Branham of 247Sports, Newton “has heard from dozens of schools,” with NC State being one of those mentioned.