Taj Manning’s Moment: The Long Game Is Paying Off for Kansas State’s Unsung Hero
When Kansas State rolled past South Dakota in a 106-76 blowout, the box score told one story - five Wildcats in double figures, a high-octane offense firing on all cylinders. But head coach Jerome Tang had his eyes on something a little deeper, something that doesn’t always jump off the page.
He was watching Taj Manning.
No, Manning didn’t light up the scoreboard. He finished with six points and five rebounds in 20 minutes.
But the number Tang couldn’t stop talking about? Plus-32.
That’s how much K-State outscored South Dakota by when Manning was on the floor.
“I’m so proud of him,” Tang said after the win. “He was a plus-32 tonight.
He just creates opportunities for us. He’s willing to do all the little things that contribute to winning but may not show up in the stat sheet.”
And that’s exactly the kind of player Taj Manning has become - a glue guy. A role player who makes winning plays, even if they don’t come with highlight-reel finishes or eye-popping stats.
Through 12 games this season, Manning’s numbers don’t scream “breakout star” - 1.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. But stats only tell part of the story.
Watch the game, and you’ll see a 6-foot-7 forward who defends with energy, rebounds with purpose, and clears out space like a veteran big man. He moves the ball, sets hard screens, and makes smart decisions.
And most importantly, the Wildcats just play better when he’s out there.
His impact is finally showing up in ways that matter most - on the scoreboard and in the win column.
Manning’s emergence has been a long time coming. In an era where the transfer portal has turned college basketball into a revolving door, Manning has taken the road less traveled.
He’s stayed the course in Manhattan, sticking with the program through three seasons of limited playing time. He redshirted during Kansas State’s Elite Eight run in 2023.
He played in just 22 games over the next two seasons. And yet, he never left.
That kind of loyalty is rare these days. And it’s not lost on his teammates, who affectionately call him “Udonis Haslem” - a nod to the longtime Miami Heat veteran who made a career out of leadership, toughness, and doing the dirty work.
“They love to joke with me about that,” Manning said with a smile. “Because I’m the vet.”
But the jokes come with respect. PJ Haggerty, K-State’s leading scorer this season, sees something else in Manning - a little bit of Draymond Green.
“Taj is a hard worker,” Haggerty said. “He’s not really out there looking to score.
I mean, he can score, but he’s just doing the little things like Draymond Green with the spirit he brings. He’s been here a couple years, so he knows the expectations.
That’s why he just comes in, plays hard and does anything you need him to do.”
That’s high praise. And it’s well-earned.
Manning’s journey hasn’t been easy. He’s spent more time in practice jerseys than game uniforms.
He’s watched from the sidelines, waited his turn, and kept grinding. Most players would’ve packed their bags and looked for a fresh start somewhere else.
But Manning stayed, betting on himself and the program.
“I just love playing for Coach Tang,” Manning said. “He’s a great guy and I love the program.
I love K-State, everything about it. It’s a perfect situation for me on the court and off the court.
It has been tough at times, but I’m not somebody who gives up when things aren’t going my way. I knew that if I kept doing everything right, surely my time would come.”
Well, it’s here.
And while Taj Manning may not be the face of the Wildcats this season, he’s become something just as important - the heartbeat of a team that’s learning how to win not just with talent, but with toughness, selflessness, and guys who know how to do the little things right.
In a game filled with stars, it’s role players like Manning who often make the difference. And if Kansas State keeps climbing, don’t be surprised if more people start noticing the guy who’s been quietly doing the work all along.