Manciel To Retake Test
Darius Manciel, a 6-11, 230 pound freshman center from Weatherford J.C. in Weatherford, Tex., plans on retaking the ACT exam sometime in the spring.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com caught up with Weatherford Head Coach Mark Osina last week at the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., and he said that Manciel recently received a letter from the NCAA Clearinghouse challenging his ACT score.
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Manciel, a native of Detroit, Mich., had signed with Texas Christian University out of high school, and attended the Winchendon School in Massachusetts during the 2000-2001 school year.
Manciel did not qualify at Winchendon, and decided to enroll at Weatherford in the fall of 2001 as a part-time student. That way, his clock didn't start and he was able to take the ACT again.
Manciel got a qualifying ACT score in the fall, and took some courses during the Christmas break to become eligible to play at Weatherford. While he played at Weatherford during the second semester, his test score was challenged.
"We still didn't get the results back as to when they are going to let him take the test again," Osina said. "The ACTs have to give it to him again because of the discrepancy in scores."
"He had already been cleared through the clearinghouse until the ACT came back," Osina continued. "One option is to take the test over. They contacted him."
Illinois, Texas A&M, Houston, Pittsburgh and Baylor were among the Division I programs to come in and look at Manciel this winter.
"Everybody is still checking back to see what is happening," Osina said. "I'm sure if he did make it, there would be some people in on him, because there's not a lot of 6-11 guys out there."
If Manciel does not get a qualifying SAT score on the retake, his options would be limited to returning to junior college and earning his associates degree.
"He told me the other day that if he doesn't make it, he's coming back," Osina said. "Which I guess is good for me. He has a lot of work to do, but he has a lot of potential."
Manciel is blessed with an excellent frame, good mobility and athleticism for a big man. But he was not necessarily a dominant force at Weatherford this year.
"He looks like a player, but he needs to learn how to play," Osina said. "I think he progressed a lot this year, but he has to develop a low post game."
"He's more comfortable facing the basket than with his back to the basket," Osina continued. "Hopefully, this spring, we can work on that and get it going. He needs to get in weight room and bulk up a little bit. He has the structure to do it, it's just a matter of work ethic."
We'll keep you posted on Manciel's situation, so stay tuned.