Why TCU basketball’s Isaiah Manning is more than just an athlete

In an ever changing college landscape, it’s become rare to see a blue-chip recruit actually redshirt and decide to stick around at his program.

The allure of playing time and quick money from name, image and likeness is always tempting for any athlete. But TCU redshirt freshman Isaiah Manning has always marched to the beat of his own drum.

It wasn’t easy redshirting for Manning last season, but he feels a lot different about the situation now than he did last season.

“It was definitely hard I would say, but I think it helped me out overall,” Manning said during a summer practice. “Getting a chance to learn the game without the pressure of playing. I got to learn from guys like (Emanuel Miller) and Micah (Peavy) without the pressure, so it allowed me to get better, so I feel great this year.”

It’s not always easy for young athletes to have that type of patience and perspective, but Manning has always been able to think about the picture. His parents, including his father, TCU professor Dr. Brandon Manning, ensured it while raising him and his siblings.

“It was a huge adjustment and I was really worried about him and his mental space,” Dr. Manning said. “But one of the things we preached with Isaiah is even as he knows what he wants and knows how to go get it, one of the things that can be difficult for somebody like that is just being still and stillness and allowing yourself to listen and sift through everything that’s happening around.

One of the things I appreciate is he’s really introspective and he can see things from a number of different perspectives. He realized the why and how of him being redshirted and I appreciate the coaching staff for being upfront.”

Dr. Manning says the communication between his son and the staff was always consistent and towards the future. Now, with TCU returning just one player from its rotation last season, Manning is one of a dozen new faces competing for open spots in the lineup.

On the court, his talent is easy to see. A year in a college strength and conditioning program has done him wonders as he’s a burly 6-foot-8, 220 pounds. He’s already earning a reputation as a tenacious rebounder and trash talker.

“I’ve known Isaiah for a few years, I played with him in AAU two or three years ago,” TCU freshman forward Micah Robinson said. “It’s been a really good experience. On the court he’s competitive and he talks a lot, it can be a little annoying sometimes, but off the court he’s a great teammate and is always giving me advice. He’s a great guy that wants to see his teammates win.”

Off the court, Manning isn’t just a good teammate he also just might be the most interesting player in the program with his outspoken personality on social media and the numerous hobbies he’s consistently finding time for away from the practice facility.

In many ways Manning’s value to the program goes beyond what he can provide in the box score and it’s thanks to his family for making him much more than just a gifted athlete.

Renaissance man

Many college athletes operate their social media accounts like business pages, but not Manning. If you’re a TCU fan active on X, formerly known as Twitter, you’ve likely seen a few posts from Manning end up in your feed.

From commentary on the rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake to threads on Michael Jordan and the NBA of the past, Manning has a take on just about anything. It’s possible for him to do that because he’s just as hungry to learn new things as he is to grab an offensive rebound.

“Lately I’ve been getting into film, looking at them and analyzing what goes on behind the scenes,” Manning said. “I like chess, I like Twitter as a platform, people see me on there a lot. I’ve also been getting into reading lately.”

Manning majors in journalism with a minor in critical race and ethnic studies and plans to take poetry and philosophy classes. Like any parent, the Mannings would’ve been proud of just about anything he did, but the fact that he became such a cerebral young man was even more special to a family that has put a heavy emphasis on academics.

“One of my things me and my wife (Johnnjalyn) fostered was that we wanted him and our two younger ones to be renaissance men and women,” Dr. Manning said. “He played saxophone and piano growing up, he really enjoyed reading and did really well in school. Even his approach to the game is super cerebral. He’s kind of our brainiac, he has a broad range of skills.”

Brainiac is an appropriate title for Manning. After staring at Mansfield Legacy, Manning had a number of suitors pursuing him in the Ivy League.

“It was an amazing experience, I had a chance to take an official visit to Columbia,” Manning said. “I think it showed me that even though I’m at a high major school right now and the focus may be on athletics, I still need to focus on those channels within myself where I continue to work academically.”

Manning credits his father’s tutelage as a key to his mature mindset and his ability to keep perspective even when emotions can be running high.

“Our bond is irreplaceable,” Manning said. “A young black man growing up with a father in your life, not just in your life, but I would say a forefront of it is extremely important to me. His office isn’t too far down so I can go in there and play a game of chess with him. It’s nice to be able to lean on him with my adult and school life. I feel home when I’m here.”

Manning said his father was everything you want in a role model, but just like it wasn’t easy for Manning to redshirt, trying to be a father at a young age while also pursuing his own goals was also a challenge. But it was a challenge Dr. Manning took on head first with no hesitation.

“I had Isaiah when I was 20, so I went through adulthood with Isaiah by my side,” Dr. Manning said. “Having them has grounded me in particular ways. He’s been able to see me finish my undergrad degree, my master’s degree, my (doctorate). My wife is on her fourth degree right now, so the family as a unit is setting goals and reaching new heights.

“All that he’s been able to accomplish has become a part of that larger process. I always joke I feel like they didn’t have a choice with athletics because I was still young but doing the dad thing. So I said look, if I’m going to go hoop you’re going to go hoop. I like to throw so somebody has to learn how to catch.”

Manning was surrounded by so much excellence growing up that he always had a constant source of motivation and that continues now as his younger brother Jaden is a Division-I prospect in football with multiple offers from the likes of North Texas and UTEP.

When a Manning sets their mind to something, they usually get it done and now Manning is setting his sights on being a major contributor for a TCU program seeking the make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season.

The road forward

It’s a Saturday at Schollmaier Arena, one of the first practices for Manning and his new batch of teammates. With a number of high school teams watching, coach Jamie Dixon runs the team through a number of high intensity drills.

Transition offense and defense, catch and shoot and defensive rotations among them. Despite recovering from a broken jaw, Manning is arguably the loudest player in the gym as he encourages his teammates or communicates with them on defense.

Manning is one of the many big wings the Horned Frogs have along with Robinson, UNC-Wilmington transfer Trazarien White, freshman forward David Punch and the 6’8 Wyoming transfer Brendan Wenzel.

While also being supportive of his colleagues and building bonds is important for Manning, he’s also on a mission to use the lessons from his redshirt year to become a key piece for TCU.

“I approach everyday as competition,” Manning said. “If I can get the wings like Wenzel or TWhite to come at me as hard as I’m going at them then that means whoever ends up starting is going to be productive at TCU.”

There are players on the wing with more experience and Robinson is one of the most decorated recruits in program history, but don’t count out Manning, whose impact could go beyond just Schollmaier Arena.