Why Taj Manning remained true to Kansas State after Jerome Tang took over as coach
The Kansas State men’s basketball team that Taj Manning committed to play for last spring looks nothing like the squad he began practicing with earlier this week.
Different coach. Different players. Different mindset.
The Wildcats are still wearing purple uniforms, but just about everything else has changed since Jerome Tang replaced Bruce Weber. So why did Manning, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward from Grandview, Missouri, stay loyal to K-State after it went through a coaching change and subsequently lost nine scholarship players to the NCAA transfer portal?
“Just talking to Coach Tang and hearing what he was all about, his morals and his way of life, it just made me feel really comfortable,” Manning said. “I trust him and his ability to rebuild. He has a pretty good reputation. I think he can really help us in the long run. I felt comfortable being part of the rebuild with him.”
Manning is getting in at the ground floor. Markquis Nowell and Ismael Massoud decided to return for another season with the Wildcats. A group of six newcomers have joined them in Manhattan. When, and how many, reinforcements will arrive to round out the roster is unknown.
At the moment, Manning is looking at ample playing time as a freshman in K-State’s front court.
That seems fine with Tang. He is confident using Manning right away, even if that might not have been the plan for him when he signed with Weber.
Tang found success recruiting players from Manning’s high school (La Lumiere in Indiana) while he worked under Scott Drew at Baylor. As soon as he found out that’s where Manning was coming in from, he made him a recruiting priority.
“The way they prepare guys for this level is second to none,” Tang said. “Watching him in games, I was really impressed by his competitiveness. He guarded the best player on the other team and never backed down. He went to the offensive glass every time and kept balls alive. That grit and toughness and competitiveness, combined with his size and length, are impressive tools. I’m looking forward to helping him grow and develop his all-around game.”
Manning expects to play a mixture of small forward and power forward next season. But Tang could also ask him to occasionally play down low. Manning hopes his ability to score on the perimeter and bang on the inside will be a benefit for the Wildcats.
He is open to any playing style.
That is one advantage to joining a new system with new teammates, even if it was unexpected. Everyone is starting from the same point with the same goal in mind.
“That’s the unique thing about it,” Manning said. “We’re not really adjusting to something that’s already been set. We’re setting the standard for the next group that comes in. That’s going to be a blessing.”
This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Why Taj Manning remained true to Kansas State after Jerome Tang took over as coach."