Manciel drafted
CMU standout Mike Manciel and prep phenom LeBron James are property of the same professional basketball team.
During Tuesday’s United States Basketball League draft, the Brevard (Fla.) Blue Ducks selected both Manciel and James.
James, considered the No. 1 prospect for June’s NBA draft, is not expected to play for the Blue Ducks.
Manciel was the No. 26 pick in the third round of USBL draft, one that saw 73 players drafted into the nine-team league.
Manciel’s play was an important reason for CMU’s 2002-2003 success, as the 6’6” forward helped the Chippewas to a MAC Championship and advancement into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The second team All-MAC performer averaged 16.6 points and 4.9 points a game this year. Manciel also was honorable mention All-MAC and MAC Freshman of the Year during his first season.
Manciel’s 1,399 career points puts him No. 6 on CMU’s all-time scoring list.
Manciel exhibited a knack for performing in big games. He had 28 points and nine rebounds in a early-season victory at Michigan and put up 29 points and eight rebounds in CMU’s victory over Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Blue Ducks are one of the top teams in the league, as a 21-9 record last season led to an Eastern Conference Championship. Coaching the team is Derek Howard and the squd features former Orlando Magic standout Dennis Scott, who serves as a player/assistant coach.
Brevard opened the season this weekend with a 92-72 win over the Texas Rim Rockers. Manciel, who has yet to sign, did not play.
TCU’s Bingo Merriex was the No. 1 pick in the draft, followed by DePaul’s Sam Hoskin and St. John’s Anthony Glover.
Two other MAC players were selected: Ball State’s Theron Smith (No.64; Oklahoma Storm) and Toledo’s Nick Moore (No. 65; Kansas Cagerz).
The USBL has been a springboard for sending 140 players into the NBA, including Charlie Ward, Muggsy Bouges, Spud Webb, Avery Johnson, Darrell Armstrong and Anthony Mason.
