Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Danny Manning was one of the most accomplished players of his generation, earning national recognition in college before going on to enjoy a lengthy NBA career. Despite dealing with injuries along the way, his skill, versatility, and professionalism allowed him to remain a valuable contributor for many years.

Here’s the detailed information about Danny Manning:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Daniel Ricardo Manning.
  • Nickname: Danny.
  • Nationality: American.
  • Date of Birth: May 17, 1966.
  • Hometown: Lawrence, Kansas. (University of Kansas)
  • Height: 6’10” (2.08 m).
  • Weight: 234 lb (106 kg).
  • Wingspan: —
  • Shoe Size: US 15. (Los Angeles Times)
  • Jersey Number: College — #25 (Kansas). NBA — #25 (Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks), #5 (Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons), #15 (Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz), #6 (Dallas Mavericks). (University of Kansas)
  • Position: Power forward / center.
  • High School: Page High School (Greensboro, North Carolina); Lawrence High School (Lawrence, Kansas). (Wake Forest University Athletics)
  • College: Kansas (1984–1988).
  • NBA Draft: Los Angeles Clippers, 1988, 1st overall pick.
  • Teams Played For:
    • Kansas (1984–1988)
    • Los Angeles Clippers (1988–1994)
    • Atlanta Hawks (1994)
    • Phoenix Suns (1994–1999)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1999–2000)
    • Utah Jazz (2000–2001)
    • Dallas Mavericks (2001–2002)
    • Detroit Pistons (2002–2003)
  • Championship Rings: 0 NBA championship rings; won the 1988 NCAA championship with Kansas. (John R. Wooden Award)
  • Parents: Ed Manning and Darnelle Manning. (KU Sports)
  • Children: Taylor Manning and Evan Manning. (Wake Forest University Athletics)
  • Siblings: No reliably sourced public record located.
  • Athlete Relatives: Ed Manning (father; former NBA/ABA player). His son Evan played basketball at Kansas, and his daughter Taylor played volleyball at Kansas. (Wikipedia)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Danny Manning’s player archetype was that of a skilled, versatile scoring forward who could function as a primary option in college and later as a polished frontcourt creator in the NBA. Offensively, he mixed face-up drives, mid-range touch, post scoring, and enough passing feel to punish one-dimensional coverage, while defensively he brought size, length, and sound fundamentals that let him guard bigger forwards, help around the rim, and contribute as a team defender rather than a pure stopper. Physically, Manning stood 6-foot-10 with a strong, coordinated frame, and his game was built more on balance, footwork, skill, and all-around feel than on raw explosiveness. The best summary of his style is that he was a smooth, well-rounded frontcourt player whose adaptability made him effective in multiple roles, from dominant college star to productive NBA scorer and high-level sixth man. (UPI)

Scouting Report

Danny Manning always struck me as a forward who could quietly dismantle a defence without dominating the ball. There wasn’t much wasted movement. He caught in the mid-post, read where the help was coming from and attacked whichever foot the defender exposed, using long, controlled strides and polished footwork to create space instead of relying on overwhelming speed. What stands out is how comfortable he was operating from several spots on the floor. He could screen and slip into open space, face up from the elbows, score with either hand around the basket or step into a reliable jumper when defenders backed away. That versatility forced bigger defenders into uncomfortable closeouts and quicker forwards into strength battles they rarely enjoyed. As a passer, he rarely chased spectacular reads, but he consistently recognised the second defender early enough to hit cutters diving behind the help or swing the ball before the defence could fully recover. Defensively, his value came from anticipation and positioning more than constant disruption. He understood when to rotate from the weak side, used his length to contest without overcommitting, and held up well switching onto wings for stretches, although smaller guards with rapid changes of direction could pull him into awkward recoveries if he was isolated too far from the basket. That’s where the trade-off appeared. He wasn’t the type of defender who erased mistakes with explosive recoveries, but he also didn’t put himself out of position very often. To me, his ideal role was as a featured secondary scorer alongside a dominant ball handler, someone who could punish mismatches, keep the offence flowing through intelligent decisions and provide enough defensive stability to avoid becoming a target. Teams built around movement and multiple playmakers would naturally maximise his game because he instinctively filled open space rather than waiting for possessions to be designed around him. There are similarities to Chris Webber in the way both blended face-up scoring with understated passing, although Manning played a more measured game, while elements of Rasheed Wallace appear in his ability to score from different areas without needing high-volume isolation touches. He was the sort of forward who made difficult possessions look remarkably uncomplicated, and that’s harder to find than it first appears.

Fun Facts

  • Danny Manning had an illustrious basketball career but was unfortunately hampered by injuries, including multiple ACL tears. Despite this, he was a two-time NBA All-Star (1993, 1994) and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1998.
  • Following his playing career, Manning transitioned into coaching, serving as the head coach at Tulsa, Wake Forest, and an assistant coach at other programs.

Sources:

NBA.com — Danny Manning | Forward-Center
KU Athletics — Danny Manning – 1987-88 – Men’s Basketball – University of Kansas
Wake Forest Athletics — Danny Manning – Men’s Basketball Coach – Wake Forest University Athletics
John R. Wooden Award — Danny Manning
UPI Archives — Danny Manning, deemed the NBA’s No. 1 draft pick…
Los Angeles Times — Really Big Shoe : Fashion: When 7-foot center Don Peck jogs onto the Cypress College basketball court in his Size 20 Nikes, the crowd knows it is in for a . . .
Kansas Athletics — Taylor Manning – 2011 – Women’s Volleyball – University of Kansas
Kansas Athletics — Evan Manning – 2015-16 – Men’s Basketball – Kansas Athletics