Last edited by Florida Colonial (5/11/2026 6:59 am)

Dang.

24 years after we missed out on the other Deng

A good article on Deng from the Adelaide 36ers site


He also absorbed any and all advice on offer around his future, as he weighed up where to go to college in the US.
“A couple of players were telling me to go to a place that you want to stay for four years and develop,” Manyang explained, “because after college, you're going to become a pro anyways so you might as well go to a place you want to play and get the most enjoyment out of it.
“There was some advice around just playing, because being a DP, not playing much sucks, but it's the pros so it was going to happen no matter what.
“I don't want to go to college and sit. I want to play and enjoy basketball and play the game I love. So just playing, that was probably their biggest advice.”
It’s advice Manyang has taken very seriously, and he patiently explored his options - including offers from a couple of “big schools” - before he opted to commit to George Washington University this week.

 

That's reassuring above. We'll see when he signs.
If he did have higher level offers, GW was the right choice because the level of play
in the A-10 may well be higher than the semi-pro league he played in.
  We have available playing time at his position and a coaching staff that develops bigger men.
Look at Castro, who was lost at Providence, but after GW going to NBA showcase.
     Think from the one video Deng certainly has athleticism, an excellent wingspan and some outside
shot. So if he brings that good attitude to his game here and is committing to developing, GW 
is where he has some real potential to set up his basketball future.

Florida Colonial wrote:

A good article on Deng from the Adelaide 36ers site


He also absorbed any and all advice on offer around his future, as he weighed up where to go to college in the US.
“A couple of players were telling me to go to a place that you want to stay for four years and develop,” Manyang explained, “because after college, you're going to become a pro anyways so you might as well go to a place you want to play and get the most enjoyment out of it.
“There was some advice around just playing, because being a DP, not playing much sucks, but it's the pros so it was going to happen no matter what.
“I don't want to go to college and sit. I want to play and enjoy basketball and play the game I love. So just playing, that was probably their biggest advice.”
It’s advice Manyang has taken very seriously, and he patiently explored his options - including offers from a couple of “big schools” - before he opted to commit to George Washington University this week.

 

I wonder if that suggests the coaches expect him to get significant playing time as a freshman? Seems like a fun player to root for.

Watching some of his videos reminded me of Reggie Lewis (6'7" long strides and good leaper.)
He also conjured up an old memory of Les Anderson walking into the Tin Tab for the first time.  You knew there was something special about him both athletically and character wise.  He just had "it"!!!
Here's to hoping that Deng has "it" and gels with what appears to be an intriguing and eclectic group of guys.
Amazing how this team is almost a complete rebuild.  Can't wait to see them in action.

Believe me, I understand your concerns.     As of this moment, Deng is not listed on the teams roster, although Lovro Urbiha, who was signed today per the press release, is already listed.   Hmmm.

I wish I truly knew what to make of this signing.  The highlights look great and as we know, it's hard to teach natural athleticism.  Sounds like a bright young man who may want to stick around for at least a couple of seasons.

I previously mentioned Gapare but the other player who comes to mind is Regis Koundjia.  Prior to his arrival, Hobbs only promoted this guy as the most talented player he will have ever coached and that of course included Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton among others.  Someone who was not only physically gifted but who could also score from anywhere on the court.  Instead, Regis turned out to be a key defensive cog on the 2005-06 team in particular, but an offensively challenged player who could not hit the 30% mark from 3 in two full seasons, and who averaged fewer than 8 points per game even after most of the 2005-06 team moved on.

Cautiously excited might say it best.