Meet Howie Manzo

Every baller dreams of making it to The Big Show. But when reality intrudes, some still continue that long distance and unrequited love affair while others work the pieces of the puzzle to make their next best situation happen.

Count Howie Manzo among the latter.

While not necessarily immediately dribbling a basketball on the day of his birth, he was a mighty Warriors fan growing up. His father played at Oregon Tech and later coached so the lineage was continuing. Manzo can still recall early on details of his hoops affection, including "watching game six of the '97 finals with my Dad in the living room. It was Michael Jordan being Michael Jordan. It was amazing," Manzo said. Jordan finished with 39 points, 11 boards and four assists in that championship game, Then it became a matter "of emulating his moves," according to Manzo.

Yet academics was always a priority each step of the way. At Union City's James Logan High, the 6-foot-1  Manzo was a four-year member of the honor roll. He played varsity for three years under Coach Chris Fortenberry, garnering first- team all-Mission Valley Athletic League status as a senior in 2007-2008 as he averaged 14.5 points per game.

In the post season, Chabot College hosted a county all star game and Manzo won the three-point shooting contest.

"Growing up I was a good shooter but I always wanted to attack the basket. I increased my range as I got older. I was practicing two to three hours a day. I would always have a basketball with me in my room and when I would lay down I would keep everything square.

Then it became time for college.

"I was looking for the best educational and basketball opportunity," Manzo explained.

He tried Cal State East Bay in Hayward but was cut from the team. "I wanted to get an education but also continue my career" so he remembered that Devin Aye, an assistant at Chabot College, had stayed in contact. They reconnected and Manzo headed off to Hayward where he would be from 2009 to 2011.

Having found the right blend, Manzo scored 8.2 points per game as a Gladiator sophomore, shooting 84% from the foul line while posting a 3.9 grade point average.   

With an associate degree in hand, the next step was locating a four-year school.

"Coach Dev handled my recruiting. I worked out for Notre Dame de Namur but didn't hear back. Montana Tech was another possibility."

"Then, Isaiah Moore, who played with me at James Logan and was at Cal Maritime, told me that Cal Maritime would be calling." Coach [Bryan] Rooney called, introduced himself and the school and asked if I was interested."  The next step was an office visit and a campus tour.

"It would give me the chance to continue playing although I would need to switch from majoring in kinesiology (the area of his focus at Cal State East Bay and Chabot College). Business seemed the most appealing. 

He became a Keelhauler.

According to Rooney, "It was very clear from our first conversation that Howie had a very determined approach. He took great ownership of maximizing his potential
on the court and in the classroom. Many people talk about 'loving the game' but Howie absolutely lived out this idea everyday he was in our program. More importantly, he attacked his studies with this same energy and passion. As a result, he has made a lasting impression on our program as a tremendous example of a true student-athlete."

In 2012-13, Cal Maritime enjoyed a 25-7 record, winning the California Pacific Conference (CPC) tournament for the second straight season and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the nationals. Manzo was honored as a second team all league CPC selection in February 2013 and an NAIA Academic All American in March.

"A huge part of our program's success has been about the determination of our players. Howie ranks among the best we have had in terms of hunting success," Rooney explained.

Armed with a degree in Business Administration, Still looking to continue his merger with basketball, Manzo wants to enter the coaching and training realm at some point. "I had a couple of opportunities to play professionally overseas and I still work out everyday but passing on knowledge is my goal.

His advice to high school prospects is for both on and off the court. "Like Coach Rooney says 'make a 'we' play and not a 'me' play and stay focused in class and on the books. Don't get discouraged about not playing DI because there are still many great schools across the country to attend and play for -- work hard, work on the right things and get a degree."

Presently, he is in a sales and marketing intern with BodyArmor, a sports drink company which has Kobe Bryant as its third largest shareholder and Manzo is also in retail sales with Nike. "I'd love to work for Nike in the basketball sector, that would be great, too."

Recalibration doesn't come easy for some and eludes others but not Manzo. He views it as opportunity, finding the next door when one closes.