BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Shortly after Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young accepted the position of assistant general manager for the Oklahoma Sooners, his teammate Terance Mann approached him seeking advice. Mann, a guard for the Hawks, had been in discussions with Luke Loucks, Florida State`s new coach, about a similar role with the Seminoles.
Young explained his responsibilities, helping Mann understand the level of involvement required before committing to the Florida State position.
Mann`s close relationship with Loucks, who played for Florida State from 2008 to 2012, developed during Mann`s own four years at the university. When Loucks was appointed coach in March, Mann offered his assistance. Loucks proposed the assistant GM role to Mann over a phone call.
Only two individuals were truly equipped to advise Mann on this unique opportunity. One was Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who had become Davidson`s assistant GM a day after Loucks` official hiring. The other was Young, Mann’s own teammate.
After speaking with Young and understanding the role, Mann decided to accept the position.
Florida State officially announced Mann`s addition on April 4th. His duties include assisting with recruitment, maintaining alumni connections, and contributing to financial decisions, as Mann explained. During his time as a Seminole player, such a role while playing in the NBA was unimaginable.
`I`m part of the coaches` group chat,` Mann mentioned, highlighting the unusual nature of his position.
While primarily focused on the Hawks` playoff aspirations, with a play-in game against the Orlando Magic approaching, both Young and Mann have begun their college side projects.
`This isn`t just an offseason commitment for me,` Young stated. `I intend to remain involved throughout the season.`
Mann mentioned that his NBA schedule has prevented him from attending Zoom meetings, but he`s actively participating through phone calls and numerous text exchanges to ensure everyone is aligned. He`s also reviewing film of potential recruits and sharing his insights when time permits.
`I`m evaluating how they can contribute to our team`s success,` Mann elaborated. `Luke aims for a pro-style of play, similar to the NBA, so I believe I have a strong sense of the players who would fit well and what they can offer.`
Mann is already navigating the transfer portal daily, emphasizing their commitment to recruitment. He hopes for more structure in the system in the future.
He commented on the current transfer environment, noting the high demands from players, even those with modest stats, and the unregulated nature of NIL deals, describing it as `like the Wild West.`
Mann admitted his recruitment involvement is still limited, whereas Young has already secured a commitment. Young mentioned speaking to a recruit the previous week, resulting in a successful commitment for Oklahoma. He refrained from naming the recruit, citing confidentiality rules. Oklahoma recently gained commitments from transfers Tae Davis and Nijel Pack.
Aaliyah Chavez, a top prospect in the 2025 women`s class, committed to Oklahoma on March 25th. Young had previously praised Chavez as a future star in women`s college basketball. Both Young and Chavez are from Lubbock, Texas, but Young did not confirm his involvement in her recruitment.
Alongside Young’s appointment, Oklahoma announced his $1 million donation to the program. When questioned about whether his assistant GM role is a paid position, Young confirmed he is a university employee. The university has not provided further clarification on this matter.
Mann clarified that his Florida State position is unpaid and voluntary, with his contributions being in the form of NIL donations. He values the experience gained from this role, seeing it as preparation for a future career in coaching or front office management after his NBA career. Even just being in the coaches` group chat is a valuable learning experience.
`I get to observe all their discussions,` Mann added.
As pioneers in this player-to-college-GM role, Curry, Young, and Mann have generated curiosity and some confusion among their NBA peers. Mann anticipates more players will follow suit, though he believes established college programs might not need this type of assistance.
Georges Niang of the Hawks, who supports Iowa State`s NIL collective, expressed interest in a similar role at Iowa State, pending logistical arrangements. He joked about his GM skills and the financial aspect often associated with these titles.
When it was suggested that Tyrese Haliburton, another former Iowa State star, might be more suitable due to his contract, Niang playfully offered to be his assistant. He humorously defended his own qualifications and contributions.
Niang expressed confidence in Mann and Young`s abilities as assistant GMs, citing their basketball acumen and educational backgrounds. He playfully teased Young`s college dropout status but affirmed his trust in Young`s basketball knowledge.
Mann described Young as `perfect` for the Oklahoma role, given his passion for the university and consistent engagement with their basketball program. Mann anticipates a friendly rivalry with Young, envisioning future recruiting battles between Florida State and Oklahoma.
`I`m sure after the season, we’ll be competing for players and engaging in some trash talk,` Mann concluded.
Jasper Hawthorne