 KENT, OH – Kent State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Rob Senderoff has announced the addition of 6’4” guard Devareaux Manley. An incoming freshman, Manley is eligible to play for the Golden Flashes this season as the team begins its quest for a third-straight Mid-American Conference regular season championship.
“As excited as we are to have a student-athlete with Devareaux’s playing ability join our program, we are even more thrilled to welcome someone with his academic credentials,” said Senderoff of Manley who finished ranked eighth in his high school class and graduated with honors. “His addition helps us solidify our backcourt for the coming season.”
Named to the Oakland All-League First Team, he averaged 18.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals this past season for Castlemont. Despite his successful season, Manley did not receive a lot of national attention on the recruiting trail until this summer when he began turning heads with Phil Handy’s Team 94 AAU program.
“Devareaux is someone we were keeping an eye on all summer long and every time we saw him play he looked better and better,” said Senderoff. “Phil (Handy) did a tremendous job getting him to really blossom as a player. We are fortunate he chose Kent State over the handful of other offers he had emerge from all over the country this summer.”
The Oakland, Calif. product is described by National Hoops Report as a player that can get into the lane with ease and shot the three ball extremely well. The NBE Basketball Report meanwhile recapped Team 94’s Desert Duel Memorial Tournament run in late July by tagging Manley as arguably the best player on the floor. The NBE noted that he displayed a diverse array of skills, knocking down perimeter shots while also getting to the hoop off the bounce and even making a few back to the basket moves. He’s also a good defender who can take on a variety of assignments.
Kent State had a roster spot become available with the departure of freshman Jarekious Bradley.
“Jarekious and I had a long discussion and we concluded that at this time it will be in his best interest to pursue his academic and athletic career elsewhere,” said Senderoff. “We wish him the best of luck this upcoming season.”
Manley is the fourth addition to the Kent State program since Senderoff took over on April 7. He joins 6’7” junior forward Chris Evans (Chesapeake, Va. / Wabash Valley C.C. [Ill.]) and 6’4” freshman guard Kris Brewer (Memphis, Tenn. / Brehm Prep [Ill.]) who are both eligible to play in the 2011-12 season. As well as Tulsa transfer and 6’6” guard Bryson Pope (Jenks, Okla. / Jenks H.S. / University of Tulsa), who becomes eligible in 2012-13 after sitting out the mandatory one year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics
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