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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS|THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016
The mark of a leader: With a difficult legacy to follow, Evan Manning carved his own path
SCOTT CHASEN
@SCHasenKU
Living up to a family name isn't always easy. Often times, the albatross of wanting to match those who came before can put a person in an impossible situation.
For senior guard Evan Manning, living up to what his father did on the court would be next to impossible. Danny Manning, his father, is the greatest living player in Kansas men's basketball history.
Danny ranks first all-time in points and rebounds at Kansas; he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft after leading the team to an NCAA championship.
But Evan hasn't tried to be his father. He's done things his own way, being the best teammate he can be and working hard behind the scenes.
And even though they differ on the court, Danny and Evan share a relationship that embodies who they are as father and son.
"Everyone says, 'You're not
playing for your dad,' but really, I'm influenced by him so much," Evan said. "[it's] what he's taught me throughout the years. Seeing his picture just reminds me to stay the course."
Early in his life, that course took him all over the country. Danny played on seven different NBA franchises all before Evan turned 10.
Lawrence became home for the Manning family, but for Evan, signs always pointed to him coming to Kansas. As he prepared to enter college, even with Danny making a move to become the coach at Tulsa, the choice was simple.
Because of that, Evan never really had a home on the road. He bounced around from place to place, at least until Danny accepted a job at Kansas in 2003.
"Evan had some opportunities to go to some lower-level schools to probably have a more significant role," Danny said. "But he said he always wanted to be a Jayhawk, and that's what it came down to."
For Evan, there was never really one moment when he was hooked. He was raised by two parents who were Kansas alumni, let alone a father who was a Kansas legend.
However, he did remember one experience at a game that really showed him how special a place like Kansas could be.
"We had GameDay here. I had my dad's code and I snuck in and sat front row right behind Jay Billas." Evan said. "It was unbelievable."
A team-first mentality
You'd be hard pressed to find someone on Kansas with a negative thing to say about Evan. Coach Bill Self lauds his work ethic and attitude, and the message is pretty much universal across the board.
"Evan's always had a good personality," sophomore guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk said. "He always tries to help the young guys."
However, Evan isn't one to sing his own praises. He defers to his teammates and coaches on what his true impact is. Instead, he keeps his head down and gives his all every day without expecting any grand reward.
He's not only one of the best leaders,but one of the best kids I ever coached"
Chuck Law Evan's coach at Free State
That's really the only way he's known to act. With a name like Manning across the back of his jersey, he has a unique respect and appreciation for what it takes to be a player at Kansas.
He certainly doesn't take the opportunity lightly.
"You have to go hard in practice out in the Fieldhouse because whenever you look up, you see all the names in the rafters," he said. "They've been here before; they've sacrificed so much for us [...] It's
built on them. You just have to respect it and play for them."
But long before he was a senior at Kansas, Evan exhibited those same qualities at the high school level.
Playing varsity basketball at Lawrence Free State for two seasons, he quickly commanded the respect of his teammates.
"He's not only one of the best leaders, but one of the best kids I ever coached," said Chuck Law, who coached Evan at Free State.
Like any true leader, Evan was at practice every single day; he played a big role on the court in wins, even setting the single-season steals record at the high school.
But even when his numbers weren't the flashiest, he was still out there on the floor conveying messages from his coach, picking guys up and playing the way his coach wanted him to.
Those traits were instilled in him at a young age.
"He's a great kid. He's a fun loving kid. He enjoys
life," Danny said. "But he understands when it's time to work."
Like in college, Evan's high school career didn't have a storybook ending. Law recalled the team falling to Olathe Northwest in Evan's final game, as he missed a shot at the buzzer that bounced up and off the rim.
But it was in moments like those Evan exhibited his true leadership quality. Law said right after the game he spoke with Evan about one subject that had little to do with the outcome and everything to do with Evan's personality: being courageous.
In defeat, Evan held himself accountable — maybe too accountable. But in a high pressure situation, it wasn't about the final result. It was that he had the confidence to step up and take the shot with the game on the line.
SEE LEADER PAGE 11
Senior guard Evan Manning speaks to the crowd after the win over Iowa State on senior night.
Tyler Self and Evan Manning celebrate Perry Ellis' made three-pointer early in the first half against Oklahoma.
Missy Minear/KANSAN
After a season on the bench, Jessica Washington is ready to make a difference as a Jayhawk
▶ SEAN COLLINS
@seanzie_3
The team transitioned from stretching to running around screens for midrange jump shots, with everyone getting dozens of shots in before the game.
The bass rumbled in Allen Fieldhouse as Drake and Future's "Scholarships" played over the powerful speakers. The Kansas Jayhawks on the baseline stretching their legs with the facilitation of the team managers.
"That was the toughest year of my life honestly, not just because I was sitting out but also because it was for something I love to do," Washington said. "I don't know anything different so I had to find myself and learn how to do what I love to do in a different way."
While Washington had some of the most NCAA experience on the team, she was sidelined all season because of her transfer from the University of North Carolina.
Except for junior Jessica Washington.
Watching from the bench, frustration came often for Washington.
This year, Kansas women's basketball coach Brandon Schneider took over a young team that struggled to catch its footing. Not having a savvy player such as Washington made it difficult.
Schneider was able to see Washington's frustrations but said he wasn't concerned about it affecting her future play.
"She had some surgery to clean some things up and we felt it was the right time so that she could be 100 percent," Schneider said. "Jessica's frustration was not being able to be on the court for a while, but anybody who is really competitive [and] doesn't have an avenue to fuel that fire will be frustrated."
Coming out of high school, Washington was heavily recruited by top schools in the nation, including Kansas and North Carolina.
Originally deciding on North Carolina, Washington was hopeful about becoming part of a dominant team with her teammates from the international team.
ESPN had Washington as the No.2 prospect in the nation for her position and at No.14 overall.
Team USA and the transfer
"We had talked about
creating a 'fab five' group, so when that was falling into place it felt like the way it was supposed to go," Washington said. "At a young age you just don't look at a lot of the bigger picture."
While North Carolina didn't work out as planned for Washington, she was able to gain a lot of valuable skills both as a basketball player and a leader from her teammates, especially now-Tennessee guard Diamond DeShields.
Schneider was happy to successfully recruit a talented player such as Washington and not just because she has two full years left of eligibility.
"Diamond helped me through the trial process to actually make the team, and as a point guard you have to be vocal. At a younger age I didn't grasp that," she said.
Like Washington, DeShields transferred from North Carolina after her freshman year.
Washington's ability to shoot the ball as well as run
the offense will give Schneider the oppor-tun i-ty to change
Coming from a family of athletes, Washington became an elite basketball player from an early age. While many players and recruiting starting in high school, Washington knew that she would be able to play college ball since the seventh grade.
Starting early
"I felt like I really didn't have a choice because when I was born my parents were still in college and playing their sports," Washington said. "I played soccer and basketball growing up so it was all I knew and I love it."
"The offense will be different just because of the tempo. She is very fast, has great vision up the court and is willing to get rid of the ball early," Schneider said. "With her versatility she can play the point guard or off the ball."
Growing up in Tula, Okla., she lived in a competitive basketball environment both through her high
the game plan up.
school (Jenks High School) and AAU ball, which her dad coached.
All the basketball that Washington has played has led her to Kansas. Next season Washington will debut for the
Jayhawks as one of the oldest players on the team and Schneider is happy to have her on the team after the long transfer process.
"People make changes for a variety of reasons," Schneider said. "I'm glad that she thinks this is a really good fit so I am hoping that she will perform well in the classroom and help us win a lot of basketball games."
Photo contributed by KU Athletics