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Post by hchoops on Apr 18, 2020 20:17:27 GMT -5
The NYC area alums can hopefully see her play the Liberty in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center
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Post by nycrusader2010 on Apr 18, 2020 20:29:01 GMT -5
The NYC area alums can hopefully see her play the Liberty in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center True! I couldn't remember where the Liberty were scheduled to play this year. They've bounced around so much lately between MSG, Prudential and now Barclays.
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Post by HC13 on Apr 19, 2020 12:22:14 GMT -5
Nice write in the Globe: Franklin’s Lauren Manis earned her shot at pro basketball in Vegas By Greg Levinsky Globe Correspondent,Updated April 19, 2020, 2 hours ago
Weekend nights alone in the Hart Center, Lauren Manis honed her craft. Two hour sessions, sometimes past midnight. An escape. “I lived for those late nights in the gym,” the Holy Cross senior told the Globe. On March 12, the 6-foot-1 wing from Franklin saw her senior season end early because of the coronavirus pandemic. A month later, those extra workouts came to fruition. The devastation from a collegiate career that ended abruptly transitioned to tears of joy Friday night when the Bishop Feehan graduate was selected by the Las Vegas Aces with the 33rd overall pick in the WNBA Draft. “I think the moment that I realized it was actually happening, I just felt so proud, so excited, that it was a dream come true,” Manis said. “It was such an exciting moment, and I keep reliving it in my head.” The Patriot League Player of the Year as a junior and the first Holy Cross player, male or female, to secure 2,000 points and 1,000 career rebounds, Manis knew her basketball career wasn’t finished once her final season ended prematurely when the Patriot League cancelled its postseason tournament. On Friday night, Manis and her parents, Gregg and Allison, were flipping between the Food Network and the WNBA draft when she received a call from former Holy Cross coach Ann McInerney. “I was actually watching the draft and I saw her name come up, I was watching in with a bunch of my coaching colleagues,” said McInerney, who as interim head coach, guided the Crusaders to a 19-11 finish in 2019-20. “We all screamed. I called Lauren, she wasn’t even watching, then I could hear her family all scream in the background. It was pretty exciting.” Manis collapsed into her father’s arms, she said, overcome with emotion.
Aces general manager Dan Padover told reporters that Vegas is seeking players with a “unique skill set.” He acknowledged Manis’s scoring and rebounding prowess, but it was her improved 3-point shooting that sold the team. After shooting around 30 percent from distance on two attempts per game over her first three seasons, Manis expanded her range as a senior, shooting 46.3 percent from distance on three-plus attempts per game. “She’s got a really quick release,” Padover told reporters. “There’s players on certain teams that can be specialists. We can always use another three-baller.” A four-time All-Patriot Leaguer and three-time conference first team selection, Manis is the second player drafted from the Patriot League, and the first since Bucknell’s Molly Creamer in 2003. McInerney said she had heard from international scouts during the season, but none from the WNBA. Manis said she had an inkling of a potential WNBA shot when her agent, Eric Wiesel, texted her the day before the draft, saying there was “a slight chance." "It was a combination of Lauren's passion and my passion for Lauren is what did it," Wiesel said. "I took a lot of time talking to people in the WNBA to help them understand Lauren's capabilities. It took one GM seeing something about Lauren's game that felt was important for his team." Manis knows a roster spot with the Aces is not guaranteed. No one knows when training camp will begin. Nonetheless, her selection is an historic moment for her, Holy Cross, the Patriot League and women’s basketball in Massachusetts. “I knew playing professionally would be a little bit more difficult because Holy Cross is a mid-major, not a Power 5,” Manis said, “but I think you can achieve your dreams wherever you go.”
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Post by purplehaze on Apr 19, 2020 12:42:22 GMT -5
Given what’s going on all around us these days, I’m really enjoying this story - just a fantastic young woman - her poise shines through
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Post by purplehaze on Apr 19, 2020 14:15:08 GMT -5
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Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 20, 2020 11:08:55 GMT -5
Was the PL POY drafted too?
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Post by lou on Apr 20, 2020 11:26:16 GMT -5
I believe she's playing a post-grad year somewhere
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Post by WCHC Sports on Apr 20, 2020 11:57:23 GMT -5
Thanks, Lou. I posed the question tongue-in-cheek to imply my thoughts on the snub.
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Post by lou on Apr 20, 2020 12:17:45 GMT -5
Well I wondered the same thing, then realized she hadn't finished her college career
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Post by HC13 on Apr 20, 2020 12:17:59 GMT -5
Well, Mack did pretty good for herself, signed with Oregon State for her Grad transfer year.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 20, 2020 12:57:59 GMT -5
Raises the old question of whether it is better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond. If Mack averages six points a game next year it is doubtful she will be drafted, yet even those who thought Lauren deserved P.O.Y. acknowledged the two players were both outstanding PL players.
Mack may be practicing her three point shot incessantly now that we know that was a key reason for Lauren being drafted.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Apr 21, 2020 9:32:57 GMT -5
Manis just revealed that she is Italian; another reason to like her.
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Post by timholycross on Apr 21, 2020 13:21:17 GMT -5
Details?
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Apr 21, 2020 14:42:44 GMT -5
She was interviewed and stated that her paternal grandfather is 100% Italian heritage. Is that what you mean?
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 21, 2020 17:41:34 GMT -5
Explains why Avery and Lauren played so well together. Her new coach, Bill Lambeer played with the Italian League's Pinti Inox of Brescia in 1979-80. He was also born in Boston.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Apr 21, 2020 18:30:58 GMT -5
Her new coach, Bill Lambeer played with the Italian League's Pinti Inox of Brescia in 1979-80. He was also born in Boston. He was also a complete thug.
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Apr 21, 2020 19:11:55 GMT -5
He was. For someone with virtually no talent, he carved out a pretty successful career. Lauren's Italian comment occurred before the draft when she was thinking that she might end up playing in Italy (before the virus, too).
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Post by Ignutz on Apr 22, 2020 5:13:40 GMT -5
Her new coach, Bill Lambeer played with the Italian League's Pinti Inox of Brescia in 1979-80. He was also born in Boston. He was also a complete thug.
But awesome guns! 🤪
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Post by hcpride on Apr 22, 2020 6:40:59 GMT -5
/\ He was an example of a guy I never thought had the talent to play in the NBA (he was not very good at ND) who vastly exceeded my expectations. I just eyeballed his pro stats and he averaged just under 13 pts and 10 rebounds over 14 NBA seasons with 4 All Star games. For his size he could really shoot in the NBA and considering his (non) leaping ability he could hit the boards. So often things go the other way with college and pro careers.
(Since I'm trapped inside with time I did see he was drafted 3rd Round (65th) so I guess others saw a bit of pro potential despite the fact he spent a lot of time on the ND bench.)
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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Apr 22, 2020 6:57:58 GMT -5
The Aces' coach went to ND (forgot about that) along with three of their players. Another graduated from Georgetown and now Lauren, from Holy Cross. I'm seeing a trend here.
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Post by HC13 on Apr 23, 2020 18:57:55 GMT -5
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Post by Crucis#1 on Apr 23, 2020 19:35:43 GMT -5
He was also a complete thug.
But awesome guns! 🤪 I was impressed with Lauren’s ability to elevate on her shots as well as her capability to rip the rebounds with her quick hands. It will be interesting to see how she will thrive in a system where the play is physical. RW always said HC needed hub cap stealers. After watching both both the men’s and women’s teams play over the last several years, HC needs a few players in the Bill Laimbeer mold. The ideal basketball player would be “St. Francis” off the court with exemplary behavior with high gpa’s and into community service, and a McFilthy, McNasty on the court. Hope we can find a few with the new coaching staffs. Once the pandemic is over, looking forward to seeing Lauren play once again in the WNBA.
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Post by purplehaze on Apr 23, 2020 20:09:33 GMT -5
Also a nice interview with Lauren on the home page of the PL
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 23, 2020 20:13:47 GMT -5
Excellent. Many Sports broadcasters are jacked up and over hyped. It was a pleasure to listen to three calm people. I never knew Lauren's mother was top ten all time in WBB at UVM. Lauren certainly did not get the same build up from the HC SID that Greg Burke gave to Gordie Lockbaum, but she still got drafted. Congratulations again.
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Post by breezy on Apr 24, 2020 14:29:10 GMT -5
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