This K-State basketball player will go overseas for international games this summer
One of Kansas State’s few returning basketball players has been selected to travel overseas and play a series of international games this summer.
Taj Manning, a junior forward who has appeared in 22 games for the Wildcats, will join the Athletes in Action basketball tour and team up with a group of seven other college basketball players from across the country for a handful of contests against the Czech Republic.
Manning will be away with the team from June 28 to July 11.
The Athletes in Action team will complete in exhibition games against the Czech Republic’s U20 and U23 national teams while also participating in outreach activities, including a one-day youth basketball camp and coaching clinic.
This trip will be coached by Casey Shaw of Grand Canyon University.
Manning has done little during his time with the Wildcats, as he averaged less than one point and one rebound per game last season. But he did score a career-high six points during a game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last year.
It’s possible his role at K-State could expand next season he joins David Castillo, Mobi Ikegwuruka and possibly Tyreek Smith as returning players in Manhattan. Perhaps playing a series of games in a foreign country this summer will help him along the way.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM.