Ater Manyang, 24, was found dead March 18 in Minnesota at a facility that treats people struggling with substance abuse. Akolda Manyang also did not play during Sunday’s win over VCU.
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“He’s struggling,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger told reporters Wednesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim,Calif., via ESPN. “It’s a tough tragedy. Losing a family member like that, everyone deals with it a different way. . . . (We’re) certainly thinking about him, and his teammates and coaches are in contact with him constantly.”
It’s not certain whether Manyang would play in the Elite Eight or beyond return should Oklahoma advance.
The 7-0 junior averages 8 minutes, 2.5 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.