(Editor’s note: Oregon State University media release)
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State men’s basketball head coach Wayne Tinkle and sophomore guard Kendal Manuel have mutually agreed for his transfer prior to next season, the program announced Tuesday.
“I want to thank Oregon State University and Beaver Nation for the last three years,” Manuel said. “The loyalty, love and support for Oregon State athletics throughout good and bad times is what makes this place special. I would also like to thank the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Tres (Tinkle) and I always wanted to play college basketball together and I’m forever grateful for Coach Tinkle giving us the opportunity to make that dream come true.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make but with that being said I have decided to get my release to transfer and continue my basketball and academic career elsewhere.”
“We appreciate everything Kendal did for our program the past three years,” Tinkle said. “He’s a great kid who has been close to my family for a long time. We’ll be rooting for him every step of the way as he pursues his academic and athletic goals.”
Manuel is a former Billings Skyview High School standout and helped lead the Falcons to the 2015 Class AA boys basketball state championship, the first in program history. He played in 29 games this past season at OSU and averaged 2.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.1 blocked shots in 10.7 minutes per game.
As a redshirt freshman he played in all 32 games and started 25, while averaging 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocked shots in 28.8 minutes per game. He made 52 3-pointers, the second-most by a freshman in Oregon State history.
He missed the 2015-16 season after breaking the fibula in his right leg during a practice.
