Karim Mané plans to stick with Magic
On the night of the recent NBA draft, Karim Mané had little concern about his future. Rather than watch the proceedings on TV, he went to a gym and worked out.
One day later, the undrafted free agent from St-hubert signed a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic. Despite having interest from numerous NCAA Division I schools, he's now attempting to become the first player to make the jump from CEGEP to the NBA.
Through the opening days of the Magic training camp, the six-footfive guard — who starred at Vanier College — believes he can hold his own with the pros.
“I belong here,” the 20-year-old said Wednesday afternoon during a video conference call, marking the first time he has addressed the media since his signing.
“I'm definitely capable of playing at this level and excelling at this level,” Mané added. “I deserve my place here. I'm able to play and excel in the NBA. I think that's the quality of Quebecers. We enter the league and make liars out of everyone. I can't wait to do the same.”
While Mané didn't divulge what other NBA teams might have inquired about his services, he believed — after talking with his New York-based agent — the Magic provided the best option.
Orlando finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last season with a 33-40 record. The Magic qualified for the playoffs and, after upsetting top-seed Milwaukee in the opening game, lost the next four of its first-round series.
Magic head coach Steve Clifford, who was born in Maine and raised in northern Vermont, close to the Quebec border, said he likes what he has seen from the prospect in the early stages of camp. Orlando has a pair of exhibition games against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday and Sunday.
“He's doing fine,” Clifford said. “This is obviously a big adjustment for any young player. He's a phenomenal worker, very bright and has a natural energy level when he's on the floor.
“These first few weeks are tough for all of the younger players ( but) I think he's doing a very good job.”
Under normal circumstances, Mané would be headed to the Lakeland Magic in the developmental G League. But the New York Post recently reported the G League season is uncertain because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Should no G League games occur, NBA rosters will be expanded. There's also the possibility of a handful of weeklong G League showcases in a bubble environment, the Post reported, or a regionalized schedule to reduce travel.
“As far as I know, right now, I'm with the team,” Mané said. “I don't know what's going to happen with the G League.
“I'm all about development. I knew, once I get into an environment like this, playing against the best guys in the world every single day will only get me better. Obviously, coming here to training camp I can see I made the best decision for myself.”
According to the Magic's website, 21 players are on the training-camp roster. Mané is one of six guards, including Markelle Fultz, selected first overall by Philadelphia in 2017, and rookie Cole Anthony, selected 15th overall by the Magic this year.
Mané says he knows he can make it in the NBA despite his unorthodox route. He need look no further than fellow Montrealers Chris Boucher and Luguentz Dort. Both went undrafted. Both played in the G League and both are playing in the NBA now with Toronto and Oklahoma City, respectively.
Mané and Dort have spoken occasionally and Mané says Dort provides him with inspiration.
“I wanted to make it out of Montreal,” Mané said. “I could have gone to school in the U.S., but I stayed at home. When I was growing up, I saw no one do that. I wanted to be the first. I want to show young people you don't need to leave Montreal.”
Over his final two seasons at Vanier, the Cheetahs went 32-2. In his final year, Mané averaged 15.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Extremely athletic, he's considered relentless defensively. That could well provide his window of opportunity although, for now, Mané said he must grow accustomed to the pace of play.
“I take pride in my defence — stopping guys,” he said. “That's the way you win games, and I do everything I can to win games. Defence is the main part of it.”