Lobos Add Forward Valdir Manuel for 2020-21

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball program has added NJCAA All-American Valdir Manuel to the 2020-21 roster, the program announced Tuesday. Manuel is set to join the team immediately and will be classified as a junior.

Manuel joins the Lobos after competing for two seasons at Harcum College in Pennsylvania. While at Harcum, Manuel averaged 21.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest as a sophomore in 2019-20 while helping his squad finish 26-5 on the season.

Manuel currently ranks 12th all-time on the scoring list at Harcum, finishing his two-year tenure with 769 points. He also ranks third all-time in rebounds (504), fourth in career blocked shots (107) and was named to the NJCAA All-American Second Team in 2018-19 for his outstanding efforts.

“Valdir is a versatile post that brings much needed experience and production to our frontcourt,” head coach Paul Weir said. “He demonstrated a tremendous passion for being a Lobo and we can’t wait to get him onto the floor for us.”

Prior to his time at Harcum, Manuel competed for The Patrick School where he helped lead his team to the 2017 State Tournament of Champions title. While in high school, he averaged 17.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Manuel also helped his club team to a FIBA U16 gold medal in Madagascar and competed in the U17 FIBA World Cup. In addition, he helped his U20 Angola National Team to a gold medal in the Afrobasket Championship.

“The coaching staff was very honest with me and I really like the coach,” Manuel said of why he chose New Mexico. “UNM is a big University with great people and I like everything about it. They are giving me a chance to become a better man and a better basketball player, and also to get my second degree.”