If you need a big man who can stretch the floor, knocking down three-pointers essentially at will, UNC basketball fans know the perfect guy for the job.
Brady Manek.
The former Tar Heel has been added by the Ponce Lions of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. This will be his third stop during the 2024-2025 season, as he previously spent time with Zalgiris of the EuroLeague along with a brief stint with Mersin of the BSL.
Founded in 1929, the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, abbreviated as BSN, is the first-tier-level professional men's basketball league in Puerto Rico. The league is currently played under FIBA rules and has 12 teams battling it out in a very competitive field.
#BSNPR | OFICIAL: El centro Brady Manek es el nuevo refuerzo de los Leones de Ponce en sustitución de James Thompson IV.
— La Guerra del BSN (@LaGuerraBSN) June 10, 2025
📊 Manek tiene 26 años, mide 6’9 y viene de promediar 6.7 PPJ y 2.4 RPJ en Lituania durante 14.2 MPJ en 20 partidos. pic.twitter.com/5TP1Cvf36e
Seeing his team struggle beyond-the-arc all season long, Gabriel Ortiz, the general manager of the Ponce Lions, knows Manek has the size and skillset to help this team stretch the floor effectively.
"The three-pointer hasn't been our strength all season, and Brady will help us in that area without sacrificing our presence in the paint."
After seeing his playing time with Zalgiris decrease significantly, Manek was loaned to Mersin. In just four games with the team, Manek thrived, averaging just under 13 points per-game while shooting 40% from behind the three-point line.
Manek spent one season with the UNC basketball program, a year in which he earned his way into the starting lineup, ultimately helping guide the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game. Although North Carolina came up just short, Manek's impact on the program (and Carolina faithful) in just a span of a few months was monumental, as he quickly developed into a fan favorite and a significant leader in the locker room.
The following season showed just how important he was, given that the Tar Heels, who started the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the country, failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Not only was his shooting desperately missed, but his leadership, grit and determination he played the game with were things that the 2023 Tar Heels could've benefitted from.
Now, Manek is enjoying his professional basketball career overseas, as he's set to make his next stop along his journey. It's safe to say that he'll have a strong impact wherever life takes him, especially on the basketball court.