GW Hoops / GW signs Deng Manyang

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 5/11/2026 6:47 am

6'7" Forward from Australia

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 5/11/2026 6:50 am

News Story about him

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/177EqsCcfn/

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 5/11/2026 6:54 am

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

**Posted by BGF** 5/11/2026 11:49 am

This feels like a wow signing based on the video and basic research. Does anyone have more knowledge on this?

**Posted by Gwmayhem** 5/11/2026 1:19 pm

Dang.

**Posted by moneybox** 5/11/2026 1:29 pm

Wowie wowie! The problem: We may only have one year to win the national title.

**Posted by BM** 5/11/2026 1:46 pm

24 years after we missed out on the other Deng

**Posted by Gwmayhem** 5/12/2026 8:47 am

Did anyone else receive some Gapare vibes over this signing? The difference of course (besides Australia and New Zealand actually being separate countries) is that the "Gapare to GW" narrative hung over this program for months while most if not all of us heard Manyang's name for the first time ever yesterday. That segment on the news paints limitless possibilities but at the same time, I watched that report with the words "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" residing uppermost in my mind.

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 5/12/2026 9:53 am

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.

**Posted by The Dude** 5/12/2026 12:20 pm

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.

Very intriguing addition. Looks like a potential very high ceiling player

**Posted by jf** 5/12/2026 12:27 pm

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.

**Posted by Free Quebec** 5/12/2026 1:02 pm

BM wrote:
24 years after we missed out on the other Deng

That’s a hell of a pull, BM. I remember someone close to the program telling me that Duke offered to put $1 million into a charity for Sudanese relief to secure his services.

Hard to believe we’re now paying in that ballpark (maybe a little less, I don’t know) to secure players.

Looking forward to this Deng playing for us.

**Posted by Free Quebec** 5/12/2026 1:04 pm

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.

**Posted by BM** 5/12/2026 1:16 pm

Free Quebec wrote:
BM wrote:
24 years after we missed out on the other Deng
That’s a hell of a pull, BM. I remember someone close to the program telling me that Duke offered to put $1 million into a charity for Sudanese relief to secure his services.

Hard to believe we’re now paying in that ballpark (maybe a little less, I don’t know) to secure players.

Looking forward to this Deng playing for us.

...and that he cancelled his GW visit as it was when the DC sniper was at large.

**Posted by H&R..71** 5/12/2026 1:42 pm

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.

**Posted by Cutis** 5/13/2026 1:47 pm

I have the same disease most GW posters have. Addicted to GW basketball, Unrealistic in predictions and forever optimistic. When I saw the athletism of Deng Manyang, I thought of Michael Jordan. I could only think of Dan Hurley, Bill Self. Rick Pitino or Jon Scheyer licking their chops and planning to send emissaries to intercept and steal this young man. My friend Lefty Driesell always said that when a player committed he then knew where he had to recruit. If this great athlete gets on campus and plays at GW, I would combine being surprised and very pleased.

**Posted by Long Suffering Fan** 5/13/2026 3:16 pm

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.

**Posted by Florida Colonial** 5/13/2026 6:38 pm

LSF and Cutis, maybe this will reduce some of the concern.

Urbiha/his agent announced his commitment 4/24 and the school didn't make it official until 5/13/
Vukovic 4/25 and then 5/4
similar for all the rest

I'm sure the school/admissions have work to do, but most of all you have an NIL contract (Lawyers etc.)

**Posted by Gwmayhem** 5/14/2026 11:12 am

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.

**Posted by GWRising** 5/14/2026 11:16 am

Deng is not MJ, Reggie Lewis or even an all A-10 player, at least not yet. Let's stop with the hype and let the young man come here and see what he can do. He has a chance to be good with some development. I do not expect him to make an immediate impact. You cannot look at a few highlights (stress highlights) and get the complete picture. I'll be very surprised if he is more than a depth piece year one. He has a lot to learn about college basketball which is very different. He needs to get much stronger. Happy to be wrong on that.

Last edited by GWRising (5/14/2026 11:17 am)