The expression, "the apple does not fall far from the tree," has a few meanings for the Manning family out of Elk Grove (Calif). Both father and son, Rich and Ryan Manning, have been dominant post players on the basketball scene in the Sacramento area.
Rich Manning was a star center for the aptly named Center High back in the 1980s when he set several high school and Sac-Joaquin Section statistical records. He was on varsity for three years in which his teams were unbeaten in league play. Manning's senior team was in the Section playoffs which he established CIF playoff scoring records.
He then went on to play for a younger but still bald Jim Boeheim at Syracuse University where he played alongside Derrick Coleman and Leron Ellis. Manning then transferred back to his native state of Washington, which is the country's leading producer of apples - the fruit, not the technology devices and gadgets, where he averaged close to 17 points and 7 rebounds in his two seasons for the Washington Huskies. Manning would be a second round pick of the Atlanta Hawks as he would play three seasons in the NBA and would make various stops on the CBA and the international scenes.
At 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, the younger Manning is a versatile power forward for the Sheldon Huskies. The 2013 prospect has been on varsity for three years and been a starter for the last two years as his team has been a powerhouse in the Delta River League in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Last season, Sheldon went 29-6 and advanced to the state finals. Manning contributed 10.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists for the season.
Sheldon Coach Joey Rollings says, "Ryan's strengths are that he is a very hard worker, he never quits at anything he does, and he wants to be the best. He put hours in the gym training to get better. He is also very intelligent, very easy to coach, and catches on quickly. On the court, he is one of our best shooters, he has improved his three point shooting considerably, and is probably our best shooter. He is willing to play any spot on the floor. He has a great attitude and wants to win at all cost."
On a Sheldon program that has been loaded with Division I prospects the last few years, Manning still has been a key contributor and has been responsible for most of the physical play in the post. As a college prospect, he projects to be more of a small forward than a center like his father.
When asked to compare the younger Manning to the elder Manning, Rollings says, "I never saw big Rich play in high school, but I know he earned his points in the paint banging. Ryan is more of a swing guard a - finesse shooting guard, but don't get me wrong, he will get inside and bang as well. I think their games are the same in the drive and determination they both have to be the best."
As a result, Manning's game is similar to German product Dirk Nowitzki because he is a big man that plays inside and outside that can find his shot anywhere on the floor. Manning is a finesse shooter because he is smooth and deliberate and can pull the jump shot at any time from any spot on the floor. His best move is a lift fake, with one to two dribble, and then a jump shot because it is a high percentage shot with a fast pull up.
During the past few summers, Manning has been running with the Play Hard Play Smart Elite club. He works on his jump shot, as he wants to extend his perimeter range and accuracy. With high school and club teammates, Dakarai Allen and D'Erryl Williams, Manning has benefited from their exposure as well.
This Husky has a 4.06 weighted GPA and considers Mathematics to be his favorite subject as he would like to major in Criminal Justice. He wants to play for a program that can help him improve and succeed at a high level. The program would run a fast break offense and set offensive schemes. He would like to be on the west coast and wants to have an academically challenging curriculum.
Rollings comments on Manning's college potential, "I think offensively he is going to be great for a team that needs a big shooter. Ryan will do well at any school if they use him at the right spot. If he gets a little quicker defensively and more aggressive on the boards offensively, he is going to be hard to defend when he is done growing. He is a slasher and shooter."
As of now, Manning has not received any offers but is getting contact from Cal Poly (Sam Kirby), Northern Colorado (Shawn Ellis), Stanford (Charles Payne), UC Davis (Jim Les), UC Santa Barbara (Matt Stack), and San Francisco (Rex Walters). Manning was a high performing baseball player but only plans to play basketball at the next level. He aims for a 16 point and 10 rebound average next season and a return trip to the State Championship game.
Coach Rollings muses about Manning from a broader perspective, "I think one thing about Ryan is that he is an amazing kid and I hope my son turns out like him. He listens to what you have to say, he is never disrespectful, and he wants to be the best at what ever he does. In the classroom, he excels and maintains about a 4.2 GPA easily. On the floor, he puts time into getting better everyday and he is the kind of kid you don't have to watch, he will come and workout on his own. He is also a very good baseball player. Ryan is going to be hard to guard this year, 6`6 body right now, a great shooter and a good leaper. Once he realizes what he can do, there will be no stopping him."
Like his father's Center teams back in the 1980s, Manning's Sheldon teams have been the dominant team in the Sacramento area recently. Like his father, watch for the younger Manning to make the jump to a Division I program as the apple does not fall far from the tree in Elk Grove.
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