The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program and head coach Roger Powell Jr. have announced the addition of Lual Manyang, a transfer from Hofstra who arrives at Valpo as a redshirt freshman for the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot-10 center is a native of South Sudan, Africa and graduated high school from Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J.

“I like the coaches at Valpo and believe they are building something special,” Manyang said. “I like to be a part of a team that values family. The coaches value family and that’s what I’m interested in. They are believers; they have faith and I do as well.”

Manyang suffered a season-ending injury prior to the start of the 2022-23 season at Hofstra and received a medical redshirt.

“Lual is an exceptional young man with an awesome story,” Powell said. “He reminds me of the days of Vashil Fernandez. He’s excited to work and he’s going to have an awesome career at Valparaiso University on and off the court.”

Manyang was listed by 247Sports as the 17^th-best center and the 142^nd best overall player in the class of 2022. He was a three-star recruit by ESPN100 in addition to being the eighth-best recruit in New Jersey and the 49^th-best center in the nation.

Manyang, who started playing basketball at the age of 16, moved to the United States in 2018 and spent a year at a boarding school in Long Island, N.Y. before making his way to Blair Academy.

“I am a shot blocker; I can dunk and I like to play fast,” Manyang said. “I play well in transition. The coaches said all of the players will be given a lot of opportunity and freedom, and that’s what I like the most. They said what you do with that freedom is what matters; you have to value the freedom.”

Away from the court, Manyang is pursuing a degree in business. His hobbies include NBA 2K video games, working out and exercising. When asked about his goal for this season, Manyang’s response was simple – win games.

“I envision a team that will value ‘team first,’” Manyang said. “I hope that we will all have the same goal and all of the players will put the team before themselves. Hopefully we can get better and learn from each other.”