Sterling Manley Commits

[Butterbutt44]

Butt, the kid didn't even play last season due to an injury. It would be a big jump to a 5-star, but I feel he can make the jump because he is very skilled for a recuit with his height. That's just the way I feel about him and I know I'm in the minority. I'm not going to debate the issue. For any that disagree with me, then we have to agree to disagree. I'm not a good debater unless it involves a Duke fan.....lol

Its cool I wasnt really looking for a debate, Just was saying that Ive not seen a kid ranked where manley is make that type of a jump, and Im aware of his injury...but as Ive said before many high profile guys get hurt and dont drop that far-so I remain a bit skeptical. I truly hope your correct and we have a legit stud on our hands that no one else has found out about yet.

 

[2DDIMOND]

Im really not sure why some here insist on taking things way out of context. I never said I was "dissapointed" in the commitment. I said it was a bold claim to say that a kid ranked where manley is will end up a 5 star as that would pretty much be the biggest jump a rising senior has ever made. Id be thrilled if it happened, though and I hope hes everything some are claiming.

I never said that you said you were disappointed, I said that those that are will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Awesome! Welcome to the Family Mr. Manley!

He seems like a real steal to me and I bet he will soon feel that way to all Tar Heels.

 

[Ozheelfan]

Great get.
Can I be greedy and want both Stokes and Knox.....
And yes, I'm aware that'll mean a scholly squeeze, but I'm sure it'll work somehow.

 

[gary-7]

Its cool I wasnt really looking for a debate, Just was saying that Ive not seen a kid ranked where manley is make that type of a jump, and Im aware of his injury...but as Ive said before many high profile guys get hurt and dont drop that far-so I remain a bit skeptical. I truly hope your correct and we have a legit stud on our hands that no one else has found out about yet.

Bottom line is: 1) Roy found out about him (thru a rather circuitous route, but still...), and 2) he was considered on his way to maybe being a 5* before his catastrophic injuries. So at the end of the day, what does it matter where he ends up ranked? Obviously it's speculation at this point, but I think, barring re-injury, we may indeed have a stud on our hands.

 

[sctarheel30]

Welcome

Do we have room for two of the remaining three?

 

[Butterbutt44]

Bottom line is: 1) Roy found out about him (thru a rather circuitous route, but still...), and 2) he was considered on his way to being a 5* before his catastrophic injuries. So at the end of the day, what does it matter where he ends up ranked? Obviously it's speculation at this point, but I think, barring re-injury, we may indeed have a stud on our hands.

I guess my question would be.. how people on this board know he was considered on his way to being a 5*.but Roy had to find out about him through a curcuitous route.

I guess I'm wondering if it was that common knowledge that a poster on a message board knew about the player having that much potential, it's curious that it took Roy seeing a videotape sent from the women's ball office to finally become aware of him. Curious.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Why super analyse ever word here? Read it and if you don't believe it so what? Quit turning every thread into an argument.

 

[DSouthr]

VERY glad we got this kid locked in, folks can fret over what his star ratings all they want, bottom line is we got a player that hits our area of need and a kid with a lot of talent. No matter how Roy saw it, the point is Roy did see it and now the kid is a Tar Heel.

 

[HeelFan58]

I guess my question would be.. how people on this board know he was considered on his way to being a 5*.but Roy had to find out about him through a curcuitous route.

I wonder if there are positions at Rivals , 247 , Scout and ESPN for gurus?

 

[dgheel57]

Bottom line is,we got him period....Welcome aboard Sterling.

 

[ATarheeL]

Is there any proof out there of him being on the cusp of being ranked so high?
Obviously he has the potential to play for an ACC school, but maybe Roy offered so quick because he saw a somewhat able big that hasn't committed elsewhere yet, in a class with few options left. It is not common for us to dig so deep in a class and come up empty (on any bigs).

 

[TPFKAPFS]

The class still has excellent options out there. We are in the running for 3! Manley was offered because of his size, motor, and increasing skill and for no other reason. Once we get him on campus, and get to see him play all things will be revealed!

BTW: I'm starting to sense some undercover trollishness.

Go Tar Heels!

 

[DSouthr]

Is there any proof out there of him being on the cusp of being ranked so high?
Obviously he has the potential to play for an ACC school, but maybe Roy offered so quick because he saw a somewhat able big that hasn't committed elsewhere yet, in a class with few options left. It is not common for us to dig so deep in a class and come up empty (on any bigs).

WoW, look, who knows where Manley would have been ranked had it not been for those injuries, no one can project that so in asking for proof you are asking for proof that can not exist. Is steat a lil over the top when he says Manley will be a 5 star at the end of this year, yeah probably, so what? What should matter at this point is not how many stars the kid has but how he plays, what traits will he now play with that he can bring to us.

 

[DSouthr]

The class still has excellent options out there. We are in the running for 3! Manley was offered because of his size, motor, and increasing skill and for no other reason. Once we get him on campus, and get to see him play all things will be revealed!

BTW: I'm starting to sense some undercover trollishness.

Go Tar Heels!

Spot on about the trolling TPF and it needs to stop.

 

[dadika13]

I don't care if Roy found him while he was selling encyclopedias. The point is that most analysts agree that without injuries he's a 4* (I haven't heard 5). So Roy offered knowing he's 17 and should get back to full health by the time he is on campus.

Makes sense to me and glad to have him.

 

[ATarheeL]

WoW, look, who knows where Manley would have been ranked had it not been for those injuries, no one can project that so in asking for proof you are asking for proof that can not exist. Is steat a lil over the top when he says Manley will be a 5 star at the end of this year, yeah probably, so what? What should matter at this point is not how many stars the kid has but how he plays, what traits will he now play with that he can bring to us.

LooK, I was just curious where everyone is coming up with this information that he is a quality big that has flown under the radar. Even his coach was surprised when he came back with a jump hook and was dunking everything around the rim.
If he were as good as everyone around here projects, there WOULD BE proof, more so than an average 9th grade highlight tape.
I'm glad we got what we needed, and hope he contributes more than Desmond Hubert did in his four years.
And before everyone jumps on me about slamming Desmond, this post is in no way, an insult to him or Manley.

 

[gary-7]

I guess my question would be.. how people on this board know he was considered on his way to being a 5*.but Roy had to find out about him through a curcuitous route.

I guess I'm wondering if it was that common knowledge that a poster on a message board knew about the player having that much potential, it's curious that it took Roy seeing a videotape sent from the women's ball office to finally become aware of him. Curious.

What's curious about doing a little research? In fact, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Roy did when he got tipped off. And yes, when I heard Roy offered, being "curious" that's what I did too, and fortunately I can usually put a question out to my little mafia of current and former coaches and come back with something. And sure enough (much to my delight) I was told Manley had indeed been regarded as a budding elite who suffered Paul George injuries. I then shared that here.

The point is, outside that area, it obviously wasn't common knowledge because he got hurt before he could make a wider rep in AAU. So...
1) Roy is obviously gonna do his homework when something like this falls in his lap.... and
2) as a Carolina fan I just did some homework of my own when I found about it.

As for 2), I realize you haven't been here long and may not know I'm a former coach and keep in contact with what I call my "mafia", some of whom are still heavily involved in AAU, and I'm glad to share the info I glean from time to time. So yeah, I'm a "poster on a message board", but also one who knows some stuff, and often able to find out when I don't.

What I'm really curious about concerns 1), i.e., why do you automatically assume Roy is scraping the bottom or casting a wide net just because a kid hasn't been recognized by the magical "ranking" people? I mean, apparently you heard the story of how Roy was turned on to Manley, so do you not appreciate that Roy would do his homework?... not to mention go see him play in person?

 

[Sk1310]

Happy to have him! It's pretty simple. If the HOF coach Williams thinks Manley is good enough to play ACC basketball, then I am not going to questions the offer and commitment.

 

[gary-7]

I don't care if Roy found him while he was selling encyclopedias. The point is that most analysts agree that without injuries he's a 4* (I haven't heard 5). So Roy offered knowing he's 17 and should get back to full health by the time he is on campus.

Makes sense to me and glad to have him.

Absolutely. I was told he was a slam dunk to be a strong 4*... with high 4* / 5* potential (to make sure I'm wording it correctly) had he stayed healthy and developed normally.

 

[Butterbutt44]

I feel like the scenario is far more likely that Roy missed out on all his preferred big men targets for 17, and is basically in survival mode. We need bodies plain and simple and he is hoping Huffman or Manley can come in and contribute right away. I hope you all are right because one or both of these guys are going to have to play quite a bit as freshman, unless Roy abandons the two big look completely.

I also am not attacking Roy at all, I just feel like he's doing what he needs to do to put a team with enough players on the court. I also am not sure why it's considered trolling to point this out and point out this is not even close to the way Roy prefers to recruit.

 

[dadika13]

I feel like the scenario is far more likely that Roy missed out on all his preferred big men targets for 17, and is basically in survival mode. We need bodies plain and simple and he is hoping Huffman or Manley can come in and contribute right away. I hope you all are right because one or both of these guys are going to have to play quite a bit as freshman, unless Roy abandons the two big look completely.

Huff is a 4 year role player in the Joel James mold.

Manley is not. He can really ball and should be a starter Jr/Sr year.

 

[gary-7]

Huff is a 4 year role player in the Joel James mold.

Manley is not. He can really ball and should be a starter Jr/Sr year.

This^^^ and maybe sooner for Manley if he's truly recovered.

 

[ATarheeL]

Anyone who knows, how long was he injured and how long is considered adequate for recovery time?

 

[gary-7]

I feel like the scenario is far more likely that Roy missed out on all his preferred big men targets for 17, and is basically in survival mode. We need bodies plain and simple and he is hoping Huffman or Manley can come in and contribute right away. I hope you all are right because one or both of these guys are going to have to play quite a bit as freshman, unless Roy abandons the two big look completely.

I also am not attacking Roy at all, I just feel like he's doing what he needs to do to put a team with enough players on the court. I also am not sure why it's considered trolling to point this out and point out this is not even close to the way Roy prefers to recruit.

I don't consider it trolling, just barking up the wrong tree.

 

[gary-7]

Anyone who knows, how long was he injured and how long is considered adequate for recovery time?

I don't know all his personal gory details, but as for the type of injury, it's less a matter of time (breaks recover faster than ligament tears, for example) and more a matter of stability, i.e., is there a congenital defect? He definitely lost some development time, but IF his legs are physically sound then he should be green light to go to work.

 

[dadika13]

Anyone who knows, how long was he injured and how long is considered adequate for recovery time?

I think he got hurt in February.

 

[adwood81]

I am always supportive of any player who wants to wear UNC colors. I think coach is a realist and understands he needs numbers for next year. He has one 5 star in the fold and some solid supporting members to back Mr. Felton up. He can now focus on his top 3 big men and work to land one of them. If he does the 17 class goes from top 15 to firmly top 10. We needed bodies and we have them. Heels will be in the mix and things should start looking even better for 18 and beyond.

 

[Archer2]

Opinions guys, we all have them and they're often not going to coincide. Some feel Huffman and Manley are stop gap recruits. Some, like me, believe they're more than that. And I think Roy feels they're more than that. And that's all that matters to this Tar Heel fan.

Personally, I think we'll land one more recruit. Which one is anybody's guess.

 

[HeelFan58]

Is there any proof out there of him being on the cusp of being ranked so high?
Obviously he has the potential to play for an ACC school, but maybe Roy offered so quick because he saw a somewhat able big that hasn't committed elsewhere yet, in a class with few options left. It is not common for us to dig so deep in a class and come up empty (on any bigs).

I read on another site that he would have possibly been Top 50 , not exactly 5* , but I would be very happy with a top 50.

 

[DSouthr]

What's curious about doing a little research? In fact, I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Roy did when he got tipped off. And yes, when I heard Roy offered, being "curious" that's what I did too, and fortunately I can usually put a question out to my little mafia of current and former coaches and come back with something. And sure enough (much to my delight) I was told Manley had indeed been regarded as a budding elite who suffered Paul George injuries. I then shared that here.

The point is, outside that area, it obviously wasn't common knowledge because he got hurt before he could make a wider rep in AAU. So...
1) Roy is obviously gonna do his homework when something like this falls in his lap.... and
2) as a Carolina fan I just did some homework of my own when I found about it.

As for 2), I realize you haven't been here long and may not know I'm a former coach and keep in contact with what I call my "mafia", some of whom are still heavily involved in AAU, and I'm glad to share the info I glean from time to time. So yeah, I'm a "poster on a message board", but also one who knows some stuff, and often able to find out when I don't.

What I'm really curious about concerns 1), i.e., why do you automatically assume Roy is scraping the bottom or casting a wide net just because a kid hasn't been recognized by the magical "ranking" people? I mean, apparently you heard the story of how Roy was turned on to Manley, so do you not appreciate that Roy would do his homework?... not to mention go see him play in person?

gary, those that are not trolling (LOL) I think are not fully understanding how the timing of a kids injury can strongly impact where the experts rank a kid. Out of sight to the experts is out of mind. This kid could not play at al llast season, not his high school season, not summer leagues where so many experts frame their rankings as they watch kids go against the better talent in the AAU and EYBL circuits. Other kids made their cases for their rankings where this kid was not able to so basically not only was he not ranked he couldn't be ranked. It is both the timing of when that injury happened as well as the severity of it that resulted in his not being well known. Add to that the fact the kid actually grew 2 inches while he was recovering from that injury!

Even with all that going against him it wasn't like the kid had no other offers to pick from outside of ours, other coaches were as well involved. I believe we were very fortunate to get this kid that does appear to be a case of a very talented kid flying under the radar due to the timing of a nasty injury.

 

[DSouthr]

I read on another site that he would have possibly been Top 50 , not exactly 5* , but I would be very happy with a top 50.

But he grew 2" while being out with that injury, if he was considered top 50 and a 4 star prior to the injury then not much of a stretch to see him potentially being a 5 star.

 

[gary-7]

But he grew 2" while being out with that injury, if he was considered top 50 and a 4 star prior to the injury then not much of a stretch to see him potentially being a 5 star.

Yeah, that's what I was told when I asked around. There were strong thoughts up there he was headed for top 50 status with that size and skill and still growing, with potential for higher.

 

[gary-7]

gary, those that are not trolling (LOL) I think are not fully understanding how the timing of a kids injury can strongly impact where the experts rank a kid. Out of sight to the experts is out of mind. This kid could not play at al llast season, not his high school season, not summer leagues where so many experts frame their rankings as they watch kids go against the better talent in the AAU and EYBL circuits. Other kids made their cases for their rankings where this kid was not able to so basically not only was he not ranked he couldn't be ranked. It is both the timing of when that injury happened as well as the severity of it that resulted in his not being well known. Add to that the fact the kid actually grew 2 inches while he was recovering from that injury!

Even with all that going against him it wasn't like the kid had no other offers to pick from outside of ours, other coaches were as well involved. I believe we were very fortunate to get this kid that does appear to be a case of a very talented kid flying under the radar due to the timing of a nasty injury.

Bettin' there's some pissed off Xavier coaches right about now --- hoped they could keep him under the radar...

 

[dadika13]

Bettin' there's some pissed off Xavier coaches right about now --- hoped they could keep him under the radar...

And that GF of his could convince him to stay home..

 

[Archer2]

I think this guy exemplifies the recruit who's flying under the radar, for reasons already laid out plainly. I understand some fans think ratings are the be all and end all. But surprises occur on the recruiting trail quite frequently.

For those who are comparing these guys to Joel James, I encourage you to go back and look at vids from James' senior year and those from Huffman/Manley's junior years. Both are much more athletic, mobile, have higher basketball IQ's, and most importantly, have much better hands.

James was my favorite UNC player last year, so I'm not denigrating him or his contributions. But all of these so called 3* bigs we're recruiting have more upside, IMHO.

 

[ohio tarheels]

Anyone who knows, how long was he injured and how long is considered adequate for recovery time?

He got hurt during last regular season game so middle of February in Ohio HS Basketball.... Made him miss summer AAU Circuit and was medically cleared ai believe end of August/Beginning of Sept

 

[DSouthr]

Huff is a 4 year role player in the Joel James mold.

Manley is not. He can really ball and should be a starter Jr/Sr year.

^^^ This is opinion, it is not fact, in the case of Huffman it is opinion I strongly disagree with. That is nothing but differing opinions but lets not elevate one opinion as fact and the other as opinion.

I personally believe Huffman is going to be much better than many seem to feel, I believe he is way ahead of were Joel was, I don't think it is even close (again, my opinion and I am not trying to hold that as fact) to compare Huffman to Joel. As for Manley, lot of upside there but we really need to see how well he fills out that frame, IMO needs another 20lbs of muscle packed on. I have seen him listed anywhere from 235 to 250lbs but looks to me that 235 may be generous. Huffman is a ready to play body and plays within his zone, hard to say how physically ready to play Manley is right now.

Now I will agree on Huffman that IMO he may not have had the benefit of great coaching, he is an around the rim guy right now, more of a stick back or tip dunk specialist guy right now. he is going to have to develop some go to scoring moves and counters. That is what we have a coaching staff for, to develop those skills.

 

[Steat]

 

[DSouthr]

Huff is a 4 year role player in the Joel James mold.

Manley is not. He can really ball and should be a starter Jr/Sr year.

That is actually nothing but your opinion. How can you definitively state that you already know what kind of career either Huffman or Manley will have at UNC? Oh I know, YOU DON"T KNOW, do ya...