KU Jayhawks legend Danny Manning speaks about Tuesday’s return to Allen Fieldhouse
Danny Manning, the leading scorer and rebounder in Kansas basketball history, last attended a game in Allen Fieldhouse on March 5, 2016, when his son, Evan, started and played six minutes in his Senior Night game against Iowa State.
The man who won an NCAA title both as a KU player in 1988 and assistant coach in 2008, makes his long- anticipated return Tuesday night as an assistant coach for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Tipoff for KU-Colorado is 8 p.m. at Allen, with a live telecast on ESPN2.
“It brings back a flood of memories that I’m grateful to have,” Manning said Monday in a phone conversation with The Star. “I remember when we moved to Lawrence (1983-84, his senior year of high school) and started working out, running the steps, playing pickup games. I remember seeing my kids running around in the fieldhouse shooting baskets or trying to shoot baskets when I was getting my workouts in as a professional (after graduating in 1988).
“I remember my daughter (Taylor, KU volleyball player) going to coach (Marian) Washington’s camp for many years, going to coach (Roy) Williams and coach (Bill) Self’s camps, watching Evan playing AAU ball in Allen Fieldhouse. Seeing my son (now on the Arizona coaching staff) be part of Senior Night festivities, seeing him on the court in his last game in the fieldhouse was very special for us.
“We’ve had some good family experiences in the fieldhouse, in Lawrence and the Kansas area in general,” Manning continued. “This is where our family started. We’re always excited to come back, see wonderful family and friends, and spark those memories a little bit.”
For many fans that attend Tuesday’s game, it certainly will seem odd to see Manning sitting on the visiting team’s bench rather than one for the home team.
“I’ve been in the visitor’s locker room, yes, but not as a visitor. It will be a different feeling for sure,” Manning said. “I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of things, a lot of people I haven’t seen in a while. I look forward to being back in the fieldhouse. For me, I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of basketball experiences. By far the fieldhouse is my favorite venue.”
Manning was asked if he had any “mixed emotions” about the upcoming game between No. 17-ranked KU (16-7, 7-5) and the Buffs (9-14, 0-12).
“I don’t know about mixed emotions from the standpoint when you tip the ball you still are competitive. You still want to compete and win. This is the first time I’ve ever gone into the fieldhouse competing against the Jayhawks.” Manning said.
The Buffs are coached by Manning’s former KU teammate, Tad Boyle.
“I’ve known him a long time. His knowledge of the game … it’s been rewarding and beneficial to me receiving this package of knowledge from him,” Manning said of being in his first season working with Boyle in Boulder, Colorado.
“We have a great bunch of guys on the staff. Colorado is a beautiful place. Every day we walk into the office you see the mountains (in background). It is a fun place to be. I’ve had a chance to get out and do some exploring throughout the state. I’ve enjoyed it. Obviously I wish our conference record was a lot better,” Manning added.
Manning, 58, had a 15-year NBA career after being the overall No. 1 pick in the 1988 Draft. He was asked what has motivated him to be in college coaching the past many years — including stints as head coach at Tulsa and Wake Forest, interim head coach at Maryland and associate head coach Louisville — when he could be retired and playing golf every day.
“I’ve been very fortunate with a lot of people I’ve come in contact with that have made me a better person and player in the game of basketball. I wanted to share those experiences with people you come in contact with every day in coaching — also development off the court,” Manning said.
“The ball is going to stop bouncing at some point in time for every basketball player, every athlete in whatever your sport is. You’ve got to be able to step away from that sport and navigate life. I’ve always tried to share that with people I come in contact with.”
Two of Manning’s favorite memories in his long career happen to be playing for an NCAA title team and being on the coaching staff of an NCAA title squad.
“I think they are both special,” said Manning. “I think as a player you are probably a little bit more naive as to what goes into it. As a player the goal is, ‘Are we going to win the championship?’ As a coach you understand all the things that go into it a little bit better, how things have to play out through the course of the year. The experience of being an assistant and winning the national championship is a lot different.
“As a player, after my senior year we left. I was fortunate enough to move on to the professional world. After winning it in ‘08, the impact you see that has on the program, the community, the area, the state ... you don’t take that into consideration as a player.”
Manning said he currently maintains relationships with Self and his KU coaching staff members.
“Some of the best friends I have in the game are on that bench, that staff,” Manning said.
Self, who said “Danny, Julie (wife), Evan and Taylor are close to us and dear friends,” was asked to comment at Monday’s pre-KU-CU news conference about the fact the leading scorer and rebounder in KU history will soon be sitting on the visitor’s bench.
“We could go a little bit further. The leading scorer and rebounder and the second-best player (next to Wilt Chamberlain) to ever play here will be on the other bench And I’m not talking about Tad Boyle, even though Tad will be here, too,” Self said jokingly.
“I hope that people welcome them both back, which I know they will,” Self added. “Danny is obviously as influential a player as this place has ever known and has probably done as much for this athletic department and program as anybody ever has. We’re proud of everything he’s accomplished and what he continues to do and how he represents us everywhere he goes even though he is not here right now.”
