Brady Manek has committed to OU

[Adreid4]

For everyone talking about his height, I know the kid and I thought 6'7 was a little low. I think he is a legit 6'8. The only question about him playing on the perimeter is can he guard someone out there? He is definitely skilled enough offensively to play out there. From everything I've heard, they are planning on using him as a stretch 4 with the possibility of moving to the 3 some.

Just to add to the height thing (not that it matters too much at this point), there is a picture of him on twitter with Doug McDermott (measured at 6'7 3/4" with shoes on at NBA combine) and they look about the same height... He's young, so I'm sure he'll grow more too.

 

[BCSooners]

For everyone talking about his height, I know the kid and I thought 6'7 was a little low. I think he is a legit 6'8. The only question about him playing on the perimeter is can he guard someone out there? He is definitely skilled enough offensively to play out there. From everything I've heard, they are planning on using him as a stretch 4 with the possibility of moving to the 3 some.

Exactly what I was thinking. Going to need to add at least 30 pounds though to play stretch 4 in the Big12, which is definitely possible.

 

[BCSooners]

Every time I question whether he was worthy of the offer I just remind myself he hasn't even played his junior year of HS. His natural development should add muscle and athleticism and give him time to add things to his game. In 2 years he could develop into a really good player gathering attention from everybody, so why not take him now.

 

[CoachTalk]

He works out with JD Runnels for private workouts. Their plan is to keep adding weight!

FYI Odomes has put on 20 lbs with the new S&C coach. They love him!

 

[Larry72]

If he ended up similar to Tyler Neal that would be Ok; after all he is an Oklahoma kid.
He has some very long arms so he might be decent at defense.
I wish these Youtube clips had a couple of defensive highlights.

 

[DenverSooner]

Most 16 year olds can add weight/mass by the time they graduate. Kids that are 6'7" and 205 lbs can likely easily add 10 lbs a year. That is very skinny (and normal) for that height and age. My nephew is 16 and has about zero percent body fat. I am quite confident he will be 20 lbs heavier when he graduates high school. I certainly don't know this young man (Bardy Manek) but I suspect he is not much different other than he happens to be 6'7" and one of the better basketball players in the country.

If he is committed to basketball (which I am sure he is), he should add weight no problem. If he eats like a normal kid, drinks a protein shake and works out (lifts) every day, he will almost certainly get bigger. To me the biggest concern is that he stretches and gains mass appropriately. It is very easy to ignore stretching and then realize months or years later you have lost some flexibility. I thought stretching was so stupid when I was in high school. At 48 I really wish I had stretched more the last 30 years.

 

[vbdad]

He is a great shooter. LK thinks he is a player and offered last year as a soph. OU didn't offer his older brother. He should be better than Tyler Neal but probably is similar athletically.
A Harrah parent told me his game is similar to a Kyle Singler although obviously not as good. Also that McDermott at Creighton recruited very hard to play the role his son had at Creighton. This is a good get for the Sooners.

 

[usedtobe1]

You have to put things in perspective. The videos are of him as a HS sophomore. I saw one where he made 37 dunks as a soph. He has a good outside shot. Kind of reminded me of current commitment Matt Freeman. He could easily grow another inch or two, get stronger, and really dominate the HS level.

 

[chuckb]

I'll probably get ripped for this but...we can do better. 3 years ago this would be one I could understand. Manek is not impressive in any way to me...I've also learned not to question Kruger either though. So I will sit back and watch as Kruger proves me wrong. I just think Kruger has risen OU to heights that he really doesn't need to lower his standards. We shall see.

What's not to like? He's a big guy who can put the ball on the floor and take it to the hole, can put a smaller defender on his butt in the post and score down low, and who can shoot it pretty freely from 3. He's got a quick release and drains it. He was dribbling past smaller defenders and dunking over them. How is Kruger lowering his standards? It's pretty obvious that he can really play. Specifically, what did you see that you didn't like?

The guy's a stretch 4 who gets rid of it quickly and drains it from 3 and will go right around any taller, slower defender and hit a floater in the lane. Guys who are 6'8" and can do all that don't just grow on trees. The guy's a ballplayer and there's not a doubt in my mind that Kruger will figure out how to use him.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Another typical Kruger recruit. Long athletic guy who runs the floor well. Penetrates well for a big guy.

 

[CMSOONER]

If he ended up similar to Tyler Neal that would be Ok; after all he is an Oklahoma kid.
He has some very long arms so he might be decent at defense.
I wish these Youtube clips had a couple of defensive highlights.

Watching the Video I thought the same thing. Looks like Tyler Neal 2.0. Even went back and watched TNeals high school highlights. Love the skillset.

 

[CoachTalk]

Tell yourself 2 full yeas of HS left

 

[SoonerinNC]

Come on. The guy is a 6-7 sophmore in high school. Moves really well for a guy that young and that tall. Certainly will be better if he adds 2-3 inches and you can bet with strength programs he will add some muscle.

 

[usedtobe1]

Come on. The guy is a 6-7 sophmore in high school. Moves really well for a guy that young and that tall. Certainly will be better if he adds 2-3 inches and you can bet with strength programs he will add some muscle.

Although I agree with the point you're making, Manek is now a HS junior. His videos are of his soph year.

 

[MisterF]

I was at practice about a week ago. Manek was there and looked thicker to me than the videos floating around. Good bet he is still growing.

 

[CoachTalk]

http://www.scout.com/college/oklahoma/story/1604026-ou-17-pledge-brady-manek-is-a-lifelong-fan

 

[DenverSooner]

That Scout article says 6-9 multiple times and the high school coach says he doesn't think he is done growing.

 

[CoachTalk]

I saw him a few weeks back at a photo shoot and he looks it... Young looking as well.

 

[DenverSooner]

http://oklahoma.247sports.com/Article/Brady-Manek-recently-committed-to-Oklahoma-Sooners-40588130

This is from OUinsiders. Pretty much the same thing. It says 6'8 and 1/2". This article quotes him as saying he shot 40% from 3 point last year. A 6'9" guy that can shoot 40% from three point range as a sophomore seems appealing to me. He has two years to work on his shooting. That will be tough to defend, especially if he develops the ability to put the ball on the floor and go to the paint.

 

[BigTime]

Would love to see him end up a legit 6-9 or 6-10. He is already taller than T-Neal and Tyler's biggest problem was a lack of height to be able to play the 4.