What to know about UNC basketball forward Brady Manek ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft

UNC basketball forward Brady Manek will add two main elements to an NBA team’s skill line-up: effective pick and pop play and three-point range. Most 6-foot-9 collegiate stars do not find their niche along the 3-point arch, but Manek is not most collegiate stars.

Manek has worked out with a number of NBA teams in preparation for the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23 including the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers.

Here’s what you need to know about the University of Oklahoma transfer forward.

Manek does not see himself as being an NBA All-Star.

In an interview with the Pacers digital team after his pre-draft workout with the Indiana Pacers, Manek said he does not have his eyes on locking in an NBA All-Star Game berth.

“Yeah, I don’t see myself being a, you know, an All-Star, but, I want to have those minutes,” Manek said. “I want to help the All-Star. I want to be a guy that, you know, can affect the game just because of my ability on the floor.”

Manek’s appearance and game day swag are often compared to Larry Bird.

Blonde hair? 6-foot-9? Killer corner 3-point shooter? A new 2022 Larry Bird? Not quite.

As Manek began to grow his beard and hair out, many members of the basketball community began to compare him to Larry Bird or “Larry from the Prairie.”

He is not associated with one of the best players to play basketball by simply leaning on his looks. Having his signature corner 3-point shot that any team can count on helps add to his developing narrative.

Some players are not too fond of the comparisons the media makes with them but again, Manek is not some players.

“It just gives people something to recognize me by, so I’m just gonna stick with it,” Manek said to the Indianapolis Star.

Although UNC fell short to Kansas in the National Championship, Manek’s speed and ability to transition had his blonde hair blowing through the wind as he racked up 13 points and four blocks against the Jayhawks in New Orleans, LA.

The Tar Heel was once an Oklahoma Sooner with a 4.0 GPA.

At Oklahoma, Manek was a part of the Academic All-Big 12 Team three times. During the 2020-2021 season, Manek was one of two players nominated for the team with a 4.0 GPA.

Manek is also a two-time CoSIDA Academic all-district honoree. The four-year starter only took three and a half years to earn his degree in business administration and management.

Balancing academics and basketball is no new task for Manek. While attending Harrah High School in Harrah, Oklahoma , Manek earned a 4.0 GPA.

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Alexis Davis is a sports reporting intern for the Memphis Commerical Appeal. Contact her at alexis.davis@commericalappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: What to know about UNC basketball's Brady Manek ahead of NBA Draft