Manny Green arrived at Tennessee with a reputation for putting the ball in the basket.
The 6-foot-7 freshman scored 2,101 points during his career at Cedar Grove High School in Georgia. He averaged 23.7 points and 10 rebounds as a senior and twice scored at least 40 points. Green was widely regarded as a four-star prospect before signing with Tennessee.
Yet a few months into his first year with the Vols, Green is studying something else.
Defense.
Green has spent time watching film of former Tennessee guards Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack, two players who became staples of Rick Barnes’ program through their defensive toughness.
“Just the little things, the details and how they were playing, and the aggression they played with,” Green said. “The certain ways and movements they had and the things that coach liked.”
It is part of Green’s attempt to find an early role on a Tennessee roster loaded with experienced offensive options.
Assistant coach Amorrow Morgan has noticed.
“Manny’s been a pleasant surprise,” Morgan said. “Just his willingness and understanding of what needs to be done in order for him to potentially get on the floor.”
Green’s offensive ability hasn’t disappeared. Morgan said the freshman has been making shots at a high rate during preseason work.
But Tennessee already has plenty of players capable of scoring.
Morgan believes Green can separate himself by becoming what he described as a “hard-nosed connector.”
Green appears to understand the opportunity.
“Especially on the defensive end, coming in as a freshman, that’s one of the most important things, I think, is defense,” Green said.
Morgan said Green understands maintaining that standard requires players willing to embrace the same mentality as the Vols who came before them.
“Manny has the right mindset right now,” Morgan said. “He understands that, as a freshman, it might not be his offensive night every single night, but he’s just trying to do whatever he can and find an opportunity to get on the floor.”
Green has also leaned on Tennessee’s veterans.
He identified DeWayne Brown II and Troy Henderson as two players who helped him acclimate to the program. Transfers Tyler Lundblade and Juke Harris have also become resources during practice.
That approach has contributed to noticeable progress.
Green said he sometimes doesn’t recognize how much he has improved until Tennessee’s coaches point it out. The daily workload leaves little time to measure his development.
“We’re going so hard every day, just trying to keep up to the standard,” Green said. “You don’t realize how good you’re getting.”
The next step is turning that development into a role.
“Being aggressive to play, getting down here rebounding, guarding,” Green said. “They want me to guard real good.”
For a freshman trying to crack a deep rotation, Green is learning that may be the quickest way onto the court.
