9/15/2017 basketball Edit

NC State lands center of future Immanuel Bates

Jacey Zembal • TheWolfpackCentral

Writer

Don't miss out on any of our exclusive football, basketball and recruiting coverage. Click here to get your 30-day free trial!

Fayetteville (N.C.) Northwood Temple Academy senior center Immanuel Bates verbally committed to NC State.

Fayetteville (N.C.) Northwood Temple Academy senior center Immanuel Bates fills a crucial spot in NC State’s class of 2018.

The 6-foot-9, 215-pounder verbally committed to NC State Friday and has a chance to carve out an important role early in his Wolfpack career. NC State loses two senior post players in Abdul-Malik Abu and Lennard Freeman, and sophomore center Omer Yurtseven will likely have professional opportunities next spring.

Bates earned his NC State offer after playing in the Wolfpack’s team camp in late June. NCSU head coach Kevin Keatts prioritized him during the July evaluation period, with Bates playing for Team Felton traveling team.

“The trip was fun, and I had a good time,” said Bates in a previous interview about his camp experience. “I was able to get more time with the team and get some one-on-one time. I was able to hang out with the coaching staff."

Bates’ play helped him gain new offers and climb the rankings, rising from unranked to No. 110 overall in the class of 2018 according to Rivals.com. He had officially visited Georgetown, and had set up official visits to South Carolina and Georgia Tech. Louisville, Virginia, Clemson, DePaul, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Tennessee and Virginia Tech were also among his offers.

Bates was invited to a Wolfpack home game, against Miami (Fla.), his sophomore year, and then unofficially visited before the start of his junior season. The arrival of Keatts has sped up the process and culminated in his offer.

Bates attended Fayetteville Jack Britt High his first two years, which is where former NC State player C.J. Williams played. He followed up by joining the Team Loaded NC 16s traveling team program following his sophomore year.