Introducing Emmanual “Manny” Umoffia
“We just got him,” shared Tennessee Prep Academy President Harold Rayford Jr. “Emmanuel “Manny” Umoffia.”
Bringing in the 7-foot-2 Manny is a big, big deal.
The young man came to the United States in 2015 and circled through Putnam Science Academy (CT), St. John’s Northwest Military Academy (WI), Paterson (N.J.) Eastside, and now Tennessee Prep Academy.
Now a senior in high school Coach Rayford Jr. is ecstatic to add him to his TPA high school squad.
“He is a pro,” said Coach Rayford Jr. “Very skilled offensively. Strong on the block. He is actually different from Chris Sodom (Georgetown) I had last year.”
Manny Umoffia is not timid around the rim. In a recent TPA Diplomat game he had “12 points, 13 rebounds,” said Coach Rayford Jr. “Eight of his 12 points were power dunks from the block.”
Often big men have trouble moving up and down the floor as their bodies mature. With Huntington Prep several years back Sim Bhullar was an enormous advantage for iso-offense and yet he couldn’t really play a man one-on-one The team was forced to settle into 2-3 zone defense when he came into the game.
Does Coach Rayford Jr. see that same limitation in Manny’s game?
“(Manny Umoffia) can move a little bit,” said Rayford Jr. “I feel comfortable playing man or zone because the kid can move a little bit. He stands tall. He doesn’t slouch down. It is hard to shoot over that, especially when he closes out.”
Standing 320-pounds Umoffia has dealt with some injuries in his young career.
“Still working on his knee strength and leg strength, but the kid can ball.”
Ole Miss offered. Florida International offered. Iona, Providence, and St. Bonaventure have offered too. Consider the possibilities for Tennessee Prep Academy when Manny Umoffia walks on to the court.