Sounds like a great work ethic to me!
Tech signees get early start on college life
Mangum, Thomas begin conditioning for Lady Techsters
By Scott Beder
sbeder@thenewsstar.com
Eboni Mangum and Quantae Thomas have decided not to wait until August to begin their college careers.
The two Louisiana Tech Lady Techster signees have enrolled in summer school and started voluntary conditioning with the hopes of speeding the learning curve every freshman faces.
"I think it would be harder for me if I didn't come to summer school and working out like I have been," said Mangum, a 2005 WBCA All-American. "I'm trying to prove to myself and the coaching staff that I'm ready to come in and do what I have to do and hopefully get (the Techsters) back to the Final Four and win a championship." Mangum, a 5-8 guard out of John Foster Dulles High School in Houston, is one of the most heralded Techster recruits in recent memory. She was a four-year letter winner at Dulles where she led her team to a 124-23 mark during that span.
She scored 2,502 career points and averaged 20.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.8 assists as a senior. Mangum was rated as the 18th-best player in the country by Michael White's All-Star Girls Report and played in the WBCA All-Star game at the Final Four.
"Eboni is a tremendous athlete who is a winner," said first-year coach Chris Long. "I had the opportunity to watch her in WBCA All-Star game at the Final Four and the thing that stood out to me was how good a defender she is already. A lot of high school players have a long way to go defensively. She was a couple of points away from being the MVP."
Although the Techsters are deep at guard next year, Long expects Mangum to have an immediate impact and her early start this summer helps.
"They do get a chance to get acclimated to college life and I think that's a huge advantage," Long said. "It's simple stuff, like learning which buildings are which and having that opportunity to experience college life before the fall will benefit them.''
Mangum will push for playing time at the shooting guard spot manned by Lakiste Barkus, who is out of eligibility, last season.
"She has very good lateral quickness, handles the ball very well and can get by people," Long said. "I'm very excited to get her into practice in October. She's a special player."
Thomas gives the Techsters a bigger option at guard. The 5-11 standout from Cedar Hill (Texas) High School is probably slated for backup duty at the three spot. But like Mangum, she is doing everything she can to have an impact as a freshman by attending summer school.
"I wanted to get a start on classes and start running a little bit," Thomas said. "It will let me know what to expect when the fall comes. I know there's a whole lot expected.''
Mangum and Thomas's days begin at 6 a.m. with a voluntary conditioning workout under the guidance of Tech strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight. After the running, they go to class until lunch time, then lift weights at 1:30.
"It's hard," said Thomas, who was selected to the Dallas Morning News All-Area first team as a junior. "(McKnight) almost killed me one day. I've never lifted weights so hard in my life. He makes you want to cry.''
But that's a lesson Mangum and Thomas are glad to be learning now — three months from the start of official conditioning drills.
"They're not going to have to go through the first month figuring things out," Long said. "They will come in September and be able to fall in place with the returners and we can get after it.''
Originally published June 16, 2005
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