One Trip, Two Missions

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Basketballs echo inside the gym at the Ice Family Basketball Training Center as Taj Manning, dressed in a purple tank-top with "785" printed across the chest, takes a seat inside a quiet team meeting room one June morning in Manhattan.

Manning, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound redshirt junior wing, arrived at K-State prior to the 2022-23 season that ended with a berth in the Elite Eight during the first year under head coach Jerome Tang. Manning is also one of three returning players — sophomore guard David Castillo and junior guard Mobi Ikegwuruka join him — who played on a K-State team that went 16-17 last season.

K-State coaches have assembled a cast of newcomers that could steer the Wildcats back into March Madness in 2025-26. That makes Manning happy.

"Time has been flying," Manning says. "I think of March Madness and making that long run in the tournament that first year. The goal every year is to get back to that. I'm very excited. It's going to be a fun year. Tune in."

There's a part of Manning that K-State fans won't see on TV this summer. The native of Grandview, Missouri, prepares to embark upon a special journey to the Czech Republic.

Manning has joined Athletes in Action (AIA), which is sending a Division I-level basketball team to the Czech Republic for a tour, including games against the Czech Republic's under-20 team and the Czech University World Games team. The tour, which runs from June 28 to July 11, will also feature outreach activities, including a youth basketball camp and coaching clinic. The AIA team will be coached by Grand Canyon University's Casey Shaw.

"It's a group of Christian athletes and coaches that go overseas and play some ball, but the bigger goal is to broaden our faith in Christ," Manning says. "We'll have a lot of Bible studies and time to reflect and talk about our journeys and lives. I can't wait. I take my faith very serious. I wouldn't be here without Christ. Anytime I get an opportunity to really dig deeper into my faith I'm going to take it.

"Then we also have the opportunity to play against some pros and get my feet back. It'll help me a lot."

The opportunity arose by way of Bill Peterson, who was announced as a new K-State assistant coach on April 29. Peterson coached alongside Tang while at Baylor from 2017 to 2022, where they helped guide the Bears to the 2021 NCAA Championship.

"The first week Coach Peterson was here, he scheduled a Wednesday morning workout," Manning says. "Well, every Wednesday morning, or as often as possible, me and Derek Coleman, one of our managers, have a Bible study. I told Coach Peterson that I had scheduled a Bible study with Derek. Coach Peterson told me that he was involved with Athletes in Action and he asked me if I wanted to be a part of it."

It's the perfect marriage for Manning — faith and hoops.

Manning was a consensus 3-star prospect and among the top 200 prospects nationally after playing at Grandview (Missouri) High School, Bishop Miege (Kansas) High School, and La Lumiere School (Indiana). He helped Grandview to the 2019 Missouri Class 4 state title, helped Bishop Miege to the 2021 Kansas Class 4A state title, and helped Lumiere School to the GEICO National Championships.

During Manning's high school days, something changed.

It was re-found under the guiding voice of Tang.

"Before I got to college, I drifted away from my faith," Manning says. "Once I got to K-State, being around Coach Tang and other believers, my faith grew a lot stronger. Through the years, I've stopped playing for myself, and I've started playing for Jesus."

Tang last season applauded Manning.

"I'm so proud of Taj Manning," Tang said. "The most of what I hope we do is develop men and teach them how to be great people first and love their teammates."

Today, Manning is immersed in workouts. He practices finishing at the rim, shooting midrange jump shots and shooting 3-pointers. The focus is to become 1% better each workout.

"I always work to push myself," Manning says. "I'm not wasting time. We'll have one or two summer classes, but for the most part, our job is to be in the gym. No other worries."

How would Manning most like to contribute during the 2025-26 season?

"Anywhere I can," he said. "I want to hit shots and be one of the best rebounders and defenders."

Meanwhile, he'll reaffirm an important message this summer.

"I've learned that I'm a man of God, and that's the most important thing," he said. "Through Him, I can accomplish anything."

Kansas State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

David Castillo

Mobi Ikegwuruka

Taj Manning

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