Brady Manek is league-bound, and he won’t have to travel very far.

The UNC men’s basketball star and fan favorite signed with the Charlotte Hornets Friday afternoon, and will play with the team in the NBA’s annual Summer League.

Manek started all five seasons of his college career, between Oklahoma and Carolina. As a freshman, Manek played alongisde future NBA lottery pick and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, helping the Sooners into the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma made the tournament in three of Manek’s four years with the program (the tournament was cancelled in 2020), but never made it past the second round.

Manek arrived on UNC’s campus in the summer of 2021, and made it clear to head coach Hubert Davis his goal was to make at least the Sweet 16. He got far more than he asked for, as Manek and the Tar Heels advanced to the program’s 21st Final Four and 12th NCAA title game, eventually falling to Kansas.

Manek became an offensive juggernaut during the tournament, averaging 18.8 points per game and shooting 43 percent on three-pointers. His season average of 15.1 points per game was third on the team, and his three-point percentage of 40.3 led all teammates. His two best games came back-to-back in the NCAA Tournament, when Manek scored 28 points in a first-round win against Marquette and 26 in the second round against Baylor. Manek’s 26 points against the Bears came in just 28 minutes, as he was ejected midway through the second half for a Flagrant 2 foul.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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