<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He moved on to North Carolina, where his defense as a 6-foot-5 swingman helped the Tar Heels win the national championship in 2005, when Manuel was a senior. But his professional career has been a struggle. He did not play last year and now is trying to catch on with the Orlando Magic, which hosts the Heat tonight in an exhibition game. Manuel, who was not drafted, sat out last season because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Although he is not likely to stick with the Magic this year, he nevertheless was thrilled when he signed a contract that brought him to camp Oct. 2. "I was very excited," he said. "I got on my knees and just thanked the Lord." Manuel has played 72 minutes in four games, scoring just 20 points but making five steals. "Jackie plays hard, and he's got some great athleticism," Orlando coach Brian Hill said. "I definitely think that somewhere down the road he is going to have an opportunity to play in the NBA." For now, he probably is destined to play in the National Basketball Development League, the minor league of the NBA. His defense already is at the NBA level. His height makes him a legitimate shot-blocker in the backcourt and he is quick enough to force turnovers. "He's a very good on-the-ball defender, and he's a very good help defender," Hill said. "He's extremely quick. He reacts quickly defensively and has quick hands."</div> Source
