University of North Carolina Athletics
Manuel, Scott Determined to Lead UNC Back to Top
March 28, 2002 | Men's Basketball
March 28, 2002
y Adam Lucas, Basketball America
Just because the season was over didn't mean that Jackie Manuel was going to stop making news.
Through no fault of his own, Manuel became a popular topic last week when rumors somehow cropped up that he was considering a transfer. The speculation eventually became so pervasive that Matt Doherty had to address it at his radio show last week, but even that didn't seem to quell the rumors.
ut it doesn't get much more first-hand than this, uttered by Jackie Manuel himself this week: ?I'm not transferring. I will be here.'
The lanky Manuel admits that, like any college freshman, it was difficult to make the adjustment from high school to college. It wasn't easy to be a part of a struggling North Carolina team in his rookie year, and he also had to make some personal adjustments.
After playing at Cardinal Newman, a buttoned-down Catholic high school in West Palm Beach, there was a bit of culture shock for Manuel during his first few weeks in the highly scrutinized world of Carolina basketball.
?It was a little hard to get used to,' Manuel said. ?In high school, my coach pretty much told me it was my team and let me do whatever. When you get on the college level, it's totally different.'
Manuel began the year coming off the bench but eventually cracked the starting lineup for a few games. Late in the year, his athleticism and improved decision-making began to show promise for his sophomore season, when he hopes to improve on his 32.9 field-goal percentage.
?I want to improve on every aspect of my game this summer,' he said. ?I need to improve on everything.'
He'll do that with the constant chirping of suitemate Melvin Scott in his ear. Scott, who has the street-smart rapid-fire lip that reveals his Baltimore roots, shuttled between point guard and shooting guard this season. For next year, with increased depth at point guard, he expects to be used exclusively as a two-guard.
His months spent learning the point guard spot were a trying time for Scott, who made his reputation in Baltimore as a shooter. ?Going from playing two-guard to point guard was tough,' he said. ?But Coach Doherty had told me when he was recruiting me that I'd be playing some point guard.'
Scott began the year as a reserve but eventually elbowed his way into the starting lineup. He struggled to find his shot on a consistent basis, as he followed a 13-point performance against Florida State with 17 against Ohio, but then hit for only a combined nine points against NC State and Clemson.
But the freshman found ways other than just scoring to contribute. His quick hands enabled him to finish second on the team in steals, a statistic that bodes well for next year, when Doherty's Tar Heels will try to hawk the ball defensively.
Part of that defensive athleticism will come from the incoming class, which is heavy on backcourt players who are ready to contribute immediately. But Scott relishes the battles that should be a daily part of practice next year.
?The younger guys are coming in with a lot of heart,' he said. ?I want to compete. I love that competition.'
