On Tuesday, Student Life sat down with guard Kelly Manning to find out a bit more about the sophomore transfer student.
After a two-year hiatus from basketball due to injury, Manning has become an integral member of this year’s squad. She is currently leading the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game despite coming off the bench.
SL: Okay, so just for clarification, you transferred here from the Division I University of Maine, but didn’t you also attend Colorado College?
KM: Yes I went to U. Maine, yes I attended Colorado College, and yes, the media guide still somehow considers me a freshman.
SL: What? How is that possible?
KM: Yeah, I know, I’m a 20-year-old freshman. But actually, I am a sophomore academically and have four years of basketball eligibility.
SL: So over the years, with the numerous schools you have attended, how many mascots have you represented?
KM: Well, let’s see…I was a Bee, a Falcon, a Patriot, the Thunder, a Great Dane, the Magic, a Black Bear, a Tiger, and now I’m a Bear.
SL: If you had to pick one, which one would be your favorite?
KM: Yeah Bears!!
SL: So before this season, when was the last time you were able to play basketball?
KM: Junior year of high school, in Colorado.
SL: Why, what happened?
KM: I tore my left ACL senior year of high school, then again my freshman year at U. Maine.
SL: Wow, so after a two-year hiatus from basketball, you are averaging 11.5 points per game for WU. What’s your secret?
KM: Ha ha. I don’t know. I am just having fun.
SL: What’s your favorite practice drill and why?
KM: I’m a big fan of shooting drills. Shooting just never gets old.
SL: How much can you bench press?
KM: Ha ha…The real question should be, how many people on my team could bench press me?
SL: Have you ever hit a buzzer beater to win a game?
KM: Yes…in Buena Vista, [which is] out in the middle-of-nowhere Colorado. It was my junior year of high school, and they were one of our biggest rivals. We were playing to go to the state tournament. The entire town of Buena Vista was there. Although they were better than us, with one point something seconds left on the clock, my teammate in-bounded the ball. I took a few dribbles, then launched whatever hopes we had left. The rest is history-history they will never forget.
SL: Speaking of middle-of-nowhere, didn’t you also live in West Virginia?
KM: West, by God, Virginia – absolutely! I loved it there.
SL: But wait, I’m confused, the media guide says you’re from Nashville, Tennessee, but you went to high school in West Virginia and Colorado, what gives?
KM: Yes, it’s confusing I know. Let’s keep it simple: I am not from Tennessee.
SL: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
KM: Well, I do have my white game headband, but I wouldn’t really call that a superstition, just more of a fashion statement!
SL: Who’s the goofiest person on the team?
KM: To be honest, there are quite a few. For the amount of time we spend together, everyone’s goofy side seems to come out at some point.
SL: What is your favorite thing to do besides play basketball?
KM: Honestly, I don’t have much free time. But I am a fan of any game really.
SL: Who’s your favorite basketball player or players?
KM: I’m a big fan of 80’s basketball. Bird, Magic, Wilt, Kareem…they knew what it’s all about. I was young but I understood.
SL: Who do you admire most in your life?
KM: I admire many people, but one in particular is my brother-in-law J.J. Collier.
SL: Why?
KM: Whatever he wants, he just does it. No fear. If he thinks of an idea, and if it’s in the best interest of his family (my sister and nephew), then he does it and is successful. He’s amazing!
SL: What’s the most entertaining thing that has happened to you this week?
KM: I got some hate mail!
SL: Kelly, if you could ask me one question, what would it be?
KM: Ha ha… Have you ever smoked a hookah?
SL: A What? What the hell’s a hookah?!?!
KM: Never mind.
SL: I think we will end it on that one!!