David is a brute force of an athlete with very impressive physical tools. At a solid 6'6, David has been gifted with a college-ready body. He is a very talented finisher in the paint with touch and physicality. He has a rapidly improving three-point shot and improving mid-range jumper. At his size and release point on his jumper, adding elevation in the second level will serve as a huge indicator of his long-term success as a basketball player. However, he is a very quick learner and picks up new concepts and skills at an incredible rate. David is a player who's recruitment has been severely hurt by the Coronavirus, as truthfully, he should be a player that colleges from Division 1 and Division 2 should be all over. However, I am certain that he will be able to impact whichever school lands him!
INTERVIEW:
For those who don't know you, can you give a brief summary about who you are and where you have played at? David: "My name is David Manea and I’m a 6’6 wing in the class of 2023. I play at Orange Lutheran High School."
Outside of basketball, what are you passionate about? What do you spend time doing?
David: "Outside of basketball I enjoy gaming, listening to music, and going out with my friends."
What is your recruitment process like, which schools are recruiting you the hardest?
David: "My recruitment has gone slower than expected, but I have been in contact with schools throughout all levels. I am just now starting to get noticed by D1 schools."
You had a great season this past year, what was that experience like for you? David: "I learned a lot from this past year playing at OLU. After injuries and missing my sophomore season I was eager to get back on the court. Coming to OLU from Beckman forced me to adapt to the competition and really pushed me."
Which games and memories stand out to you the most from this past season?
David: "Honestly the memories I’ve built with my teammates outside of basketball is what I will remember the most from this past year. All the ups and downs we went through as a team made us a family. This is the most fun I have had on a team."
Who was the toughest player or team you have played against in your career thus far?
David: The toughest team I have played against was Damien. I’ve matched up with guys from college to the NBA at open runs and workouts."
Who is the most talented player you have played with in your career thus far?
David: "Although I was ineligible last year, my teammate Denim was definitely the toughest players I played with. Someone else that comes to mind is my old teammate Denzel from when I played at West Coast Elite."
What do you like about Jalen Green Elite OC and how have they helped you along your process?
David: "I like that the coaches trust me to lead this team and allow me to showcase my game. They do a great job of getting me in front of college coaches."
What are you looking for when committing to a college? David: "When committing to a college I look for a team that will develop me and somewhere that I can make an impact. Some other things that are important to me are campus life and quality education."
Which player or team are you looking forward to playing against the most in your senior year?
David: "There is no team in particular, but I am excited for league because we are going to surprise a lot of people."
What was your favorite NBA team and player growing up?
David: "My favorite NBA team growing up was the OKC Thunder. My favorite player was Russell Westbrook because he always brought a different energy to the game."
What are you looking to improve on and show scouts that you have improved on going into your senior season?
David: "I’m going to improve my athleticism and my guard skill set. I have to polish my ball handling and shotmaking ability for the next level."
What is your end goal for basketball?
David: "I want to take basketball as far as I can. My current goal is to get a free education."
What do you think is the most valuable skill in basketball?
David: "The way the game has changed I believe the most important skills are shooting and defense. Being able to shoot make the game easier and is a must. As for defense, that’s something you can bring to the table no matter how you are playing on offense."
What makes you unique from other basketball prospects? David: "I have lots of versatility on both offense and defense. Offensively I am a mismatch for many players, my perimeter skills forces bigger players to guard me and I have size to attack smaller guards. Defensively I can guard multiple positions. I’m not afraid of any challenge and I enjoy playing defense."
What is your current schedule like right now?
David: "On top of the weight room and practice at OLU, I workout as much as I can. Whether it is extra lifts or a few more workouts. Focusing on recovery is something I am starting to take very seriously in order to prevent injuries and to make sure I feel fresh."
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