Prospect Update: Manny Austin (2021)
Des Moines Hoover guard Manny Austin is without question one of the state’s brightest young talents, and he’ll have a chance to prove that this winter.
A 6-foot-1 rising sophomore, Austin is in line to have a breakout season with the Huskies, and will be showcasing the improved athleticism and jumper that he’s added to his repertoire
“I’ve been working on my pull-up a lot, just because it’s an easy shot. And I’ve been working on dunking more, I want to dunk more consistently,” said Austin.
He spent his spring playing with Beyond Ball, and ended up at finishing the summer with Kingdom Hoops Elite 15U. Austin was happy with the way his grassroots season ended.
“I think I played very well in July,” Austin said. “I didn’t have to dominate the ball as much as I had to with Beyond Ball, so that was easier for me because I’m not really a ball-dominant player.”
Now, he’ll shift his focus to a sophomore season that will see him playing alongside a trio of senior guards, Kenny Quinn, Adam Jackson and Hosea Treadwell.
“It’s going to be a big year, and it’s going to be a big jump because I didn’t start last year, and I’m going to be starting this year. We have an incredible backcourt, and we’re just going to go all-out this year,” said Austin.
The goal: state title.
“It’s those guys’ last year, so we got to do whatever we can to get down the Wells (Fargo Arena) and win it,” he said. “It’s my last chance being with my brother (Treadwell) and Adam and Kenny — it’s going to be a fun season for everybody.”