Sam Maniscalco is a rookie in the Big Ten, while also being a fifth-year graduate student. I will take a pass on attempting to explain the brain-twisting rule that allowed him to transfer to Illinois without having to sit out a season.
Maniscalco stands a hair under 6 feet tall and has almost always been the smallest player on the floor, but this has never hindered his success playing basketball. Starting his winning ways as early as 4th grade, he was able to lead his Northwest Side of Chicago grade school team, Queen of All Saints, to an unbelievable record of 131-5 through five years. Sam still occasionally rewinds to watch the VHS recordings of some of those games with his father, Carl, who was the head coach.
Maniscalco then moved on to St. Patrick High School in Chicago. He had some of his best performances against his AAU teammates, Demetri McCamey and Evan Turner of St. Joe’s, including a 30-point performance in a win over the #2 team in the state. Sam averaged over 20 points as a senior and was a first-team All-State pick by the Illinois Coaches Association.
The senior point guard arrived in Champaign in June as a transfer graduate student-athlete from just down the road in Peoria, where he had played three strong seasons for Bradley University. Maniscalco scored over 1,200 points and dished out 355 assists as the team’s three-year captain.
A nagging ankle injury that resulted in two surgeries over the past year has forced head coach, Bruce Weber, to limit Maniscalco’s minutes so far this season. Sam gutted out many games this season on virtually one leg, compensating for the incessant pain in his left ankle. He was still able contribute strong minutes orchestrating the offense, providing leadership and was even able to drop 24 points on ESPN in a win at Maryland (this stat was nothing compared to the numbers showing on his Facebook, Twitter and text notifications after that performance).
I was able to sit down with the Illini captain and ask a few questions about his transition into the Big Ten, his new teammates and coaches, and his goals for the season. Check it out…
How would you describe the transition thus far from a mid-major school to the Big Ten on the court and off? – It has been a good transition. My teammates and coaching staff have really welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home.
Can you describe what you feel that you bring to the table for this Illinois basketball team that they may have lacked in the recent past? – I feel like I bring some leadership, experience and toughness. Having played college basketball for the past few years, I have been through many ups and downs as well as wins and losses. I feel that having that experience and going through a lot of battles only helps me with my leadership and helps me set the right example for the younger guys.
How have your teammates responded to you being a newcomer and already taking on such a significant leadership role? – They have been great with it. With that being said, I am not the only leader on this team. Brandon and DJ have done a great job being vocal and leading by example as well.
This seems to be a much looser Illini team than in the past with both the players and the coaches being much more relaxed. Can you describe who on the team provides the most entertainment and also the atmosphere around the team behind the closed doors of the locker room and practice facility? – There are a lot of characters and funny guys on the team. Everyone gets along which is a great thing for team chemistry. With that being said, the team also shows great maturity and everyone understands that when we are between the lines it is business and time to compete and get better.
Nobody seemed to know what to expect from you this year as well as from this young Illini team. What are some of your goals this season as an individual and as a team? – As an individual, just to contribute as much as I can and help this team and this program be successful in any way that I can. As far as team goes, obviously winning the Big Ten, which is a goal for most teams in the conference. Also, making the NCAA tournament and playing in the postseason is a goal of ours as well.
What do you like to do in your free time when you aren’t playing basketball? – I like hanging out with friends, going to movies, listening to music and watching NBA games with my Dad, older brothers and cousins.
Who do you enjoy watching in the NBA? – Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Derrick Rose because they’re great point guards. LeBron and Wade because they’re so athletic and it’s always a highlight reel. I like how Nash and Paul control the game.
Who was your biggest influence growing up? – My father was my biggest influence growing up. He has been my coach since I was playing biddy basketball at the park districts. If it wasn’t for him I would not be where I am now as an athlete and especially as a person.
Even though it is early in the conference schedule, the Illini’s goal of winning the Big Ten looks great thus far. Illinois sits alone atop the conference standings at 4-1 (15-3 overall) after seeing Michigan win at home against Michigan State.
The Fighting Illini are also back in the rankings this week at #22 in the nation going into Thursday night’s game at Penn State (1-5, 9-10). Maniscalco expects to test his ankle in this matchup after being forced to rest it for the past three games.
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