Kendal Manuel

Kendal Allen Manuel (born September 13, 1997) is an American-Mozambican professional basketball player for Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket of the Nationale Masculine 1. He played college basketball for the Oregon State Beavers and Montana Grizzlies.

Kendal Manuel
Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNationale Masculine 1
Personal information
Born (1997-09-13) September 13, 1997
Billings, Montana
NationalityAmerican / Mozambican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolSkyview
(Billings, Montana)
College
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Força Lleida
2021–presentUnion Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-Big Sky (2020)
  • Big Sky Newcomer of the Year (2019)

Early life and high school career

Manuel was born in Billings, Montana but moved to Mozambique in his youth. His family later lived in Maine, Florida and New Orleans before moving back to Montana. He attended Skyview High School in Billings.[1] Manuel averaged 21.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game as a junior. Manuel helped Skyview win its first-ever Class AA state basketball championship in 2015. After considering attending prep school, he signed with Oregon State in June 2015. Manuel had known coach Wayne Tinkle for years as he was friends with Tinkle's son, fellow Oregon State signee Tres Tinkle.[2]

College career

Manuel missed his true freshman season at Oregon State with a broken right leg. As a redshirt freshman, he started 25 games and averaged 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 38.5 percent from behind the arc. During his sophomore season Manuel saw his minutes decline and averaged 2.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. The Beavers finished 5-27, and he decided to transfer.[3] Manuel decided to come home to play for the Montana Grizzlies, and he was granted immediate eligibility hours before his first game.[4] Manuel averaged 8.7 points per game as a junior and was named Big Sky Newcomer of the Year.[1] He struggled with his shooting in the nonconference part of his senior season, making 25.3 percent of his three-point attempts and shot 35.3 percent from the field.[5] On January 4, 2020, he scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 74-66 loss to Northern Colorado.[6] As a senior, Manuel averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors.[1]

Professional career

On August 18, 2020, Manuel signed his first professional contract with Oviedo of the Spanish LEB Oro.[7] However, he left the team on September 25.[8] On January 26, 2021, Manuel signed with Força Lleida.[9] He averaged 5.3 points and 1.0 assist per game. On June 25, 2021, Manuel signed with Union Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées Basket of the Nationale Masculine 1.[10]

National team career

Manuel has represented Mozambique in international competitions. During the FIBA Africa Windows of qualification for the Mundobasket 2019, he averaged 21.7 points, four rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.[1]

Personal life

Manuel's father Paulo Manuel is a native of Mozambique and a nephew of Nelson Mandela.[11]

References
  1. Kimmel, Slim (August 18, 2020). "Billings native, former Montana Grizzly Kendal Manuel signs professional basketball contract". MontanaSports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  2. Nemec, Andrew (June 23, 2015). "Kendal Manuel, Montana's No. 2 prospect in 2015, commits to Oregon State Beavers". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  3. Moran, Danny (April 18, 2018). "Kendal Manuel to transfer from Oregon State Beavers men's basketball". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  4. Buerkle, Derek (November 23, 2018). "Perfect timing for Kendal Manuel's return to home state". MontanaSports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  5. Hansen, Kyle (February 28, 2020). "Kendal Manuel putting finishing touches on 'underdog' college basketball career with Montana". MontanaSports.com. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  6. "Hume scores 22 to carry N. Colorado past Montana 74-66". ESPN. Associated Press. January 4, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  7. "Kendall Manuel to join Oviedo CB". Sportando. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  8. "Kendal Manuel leaves Oviedo". Eurobasket. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  9. "Kendal Manuel signs at Lleida". Eurobasket. January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  10. "Kendal Manuel (ex-Lleida) agreed terms with Lourdes". Eurobasket. June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  11. Hansen, Kyle (November 1, 2018). "Q&A with Kendal Manuel: Billings product and Oregon State transfer talks competing for Mozambique's national team, joining Griz". 406 MT Sports. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
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