Manigat comes to CU with something to prove

As we first reported today, 2010 Canadian point guard Jahenns Manigat will sign with Creighton this week to join the 2010 recruiting class.

When you talk to Jahenns, you immediately notice his calm demeanor and his steady confidence when speaking about his game. Normally, an interview with a prospect can be filled with quick answers but you can tell that Manigat enjoys discussing basketball almost as much as he loves playing it.

We connected with the Ottawa native for his first interview since committing to Creighton to talk about his new school, his ability as a point guard, and when he will sign is LOI with the Jays.

BJC: What did you think of Omaha when you first saw it on your visit?

Jahenns Manigat: I'm not going to lie, when I first saw it, I thought to myself 'What am I getting myself into?' but once I got to see the campus and meet the people, it all started to seep in for the amazing place that it was.

What was it about Omaha that worried you?

How small the airport was. I'm from Ottawa and that has a really big airport and I fly out of Toronto a lot as well. So, seeing the airport in Omaha kinda surprised me a little bit but once I got there and got used to my surrounding, it was ok.

What did you think of Coach Darian DeVries who you spent most of your visit with?

I liked him a lot. He was really nice. We talked a lot about NCAA basketball and what Creighton could do for me as an athlete and as a school as well. He really got me interested in coming to this place in the first place.

On your visit, you played pick up in the Qwest Center. Was that fun?

Walking into the Qwest Center for the first time is something that I will never forget. It was probably the biggest arena that I've ever played in and I just can't wait to see what games are like in November.

Did you get along well with the players?

Yes I did. From the moment I met them, we just got along. We were already cracking jokes and once we got going with the pickup games, it really didn't take long for me to get used to the guys and what they can do on the floor and what I could do with them on the floor.

You verballed to Canisius College earlier in this process but took the visit to Creighton anyway. Why did you decide to reopen your recruitment?

Basically, when I had my verbal with Canisius, I felt like that was the end of my recruiting cause I felt comfortable with the coaching staff there but once I was approached with the opportunity to come to Creighton, I felt like I shouldn't completely shut down my recruitment before signing.

When Creighton first approached you, how much did you know about the Jays before you actually saw it for yourself?

Ever since I was 13, I've been following NCAA college basketball. Me and my brothers have done it and we've followed how good they have been, going to the NCAA tournament and how many NBA players they have produced over the last couple of years. I've seen them play a couple of times this year as well. I was really excited once I was given the chance to go play there.

Was it important that Coach Altman and staff will be there your four years?

For sure. When looking at coming in as a freshmen and to know that you will be playing for four years, you want a coaching staff that will be there for four years. The worst thing for a player if a new coach comes in that doesn't know you or your stuff. The fact that Coach Altman will be there for my four years of eligibility was very important.

Someone told me today that people in America don't appreciate how good you are and are going to find out soon enough. Do you feel like you flew under the radar and people might not appreciate what you can do on the floor?

To be completely honest, I feel like a lot of Canadian basketball players feel the way I do - if I were an American player with the same abilities, I definitely think I would have had more division 1 looks. But again, I'm just blessed with what I have and I'm very happy with my position at Creighton right now. Everything works out for the best, I guess.

From a leadership standpoint, how do you approach the point guard position?

I try to put people in their right places. Your role overall as a point guard is to put people in the right places cause you've got the ball 90 percent of the time so you have to be a leader. When things aren't going right and guys aren't in the right spot, players kinda put the blame on them so coming in as a freshmen, I've got to be able to lead the minute I step on campus so we can be successful.

How do you describe your style of play as a point guard?

I would describe myself as a very versatile point guard. At different times during the game, I understand that my role can change. A different times, the coach may ask me to attack more or other times the coach may ask me to set up the guys who can really shoot the ball. Truly, depending on what the situation is, depending on what the coaching staff asks me to do, that 's what I'm willing to do.

I have the ability to score but sometimes that isn't always the best thing for the team and I have the ability to pass the basketball to other scorers on the floor as well.

On video, it seems like defensively you have the ability to get into passing lanes and cause turnovers and take charges. How much is that part of your game?

When you are 6'2 and you've got guys who are 6'7 or bigger coming up at you, you know you probably don't have a chance at blocking their shot so you have to step in and take a charge like a good basketball player should. I will sacrifice my body for the good of the team whenever I possibly can.

What about 3-point shooting? Can you hit open shots?

Yeah, I understand that the bigs are going to get a lot of touches so if I can hit open shots, it's going to really help the team out especially when it comes to knocking down timely shots.

Gregory Echenique was born and raised in Venezuela. Will it help to have a guy on roster who is an international player like yourself?

Most definitely. I'm sure the entire team is going to make the transition for me as easy as they can but for me and him to have each other's back will really help instead of one guy from Canada and one guy from Venezuela trying to figure out - I think we form a bond as the International players and try to help each other move forward as well.

I heard there is going to be a Letter of Intent signing ceremony at your high school tomorrow?

Um, it might be tomorrow but it might be pushed till later in the week. When I told the school about committing to Creighton they were really, really happy for me. They went and read about the 16,000 fans at games so the school is extremely excited for him. I can't wait to have the signing ceremony with them.

You are 100 percent coming to Creighton correct?

Yes, there are no concerns there.