By Emma Bynes
@emma_bynes4
Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka has offers from five of the most prominent women’s college basketball programs in the country — as just a junior. The Maryland native is the second ranked junior (per 247 Sports) in the country and has offers from Iowa, Louisiana State University, University of Connecticut and South Carolina — among others. Coaches from multiple schools, like UConn legend Geno Auriemma and South Carolina’s Dawn Staley, were in attendance to watch her and other recruits play on the second day of the Panini Hoophall Classic.
A true slasher, Wilson-Manyacka has creative dribble-drive skills unlike others at her level. In Bullis High School’s game against Westtown, she started the game off hot on the defensive end with a block and contributed a team-high 16 points in their matchup.
“[Westtown] is a team that likes to slow other teams down,” said Wilson-Manyacka. “Today was a tough loss but I’m just hoping that as a team and coaches we make adjustments.”
As Maryland’s Gatorade Player of the Year during the 2024-2025 season, Wilson-Manyacka accrued a double-double average with over 18 points and 11 rebounds per game. She’s earned recognition with her strong play on the court, but off the court is where the junior shines most.
Wilson-Manyacka believes that giving back and charitable causes are of the utmost importance. She is a core member of her school’s Chinese Youth Club — and her coaches can’t say enough positive things about her character and her desire to put others first.
“She’s just selfless. It’s not the Ivannah show, she’s never been that way,” said Bullis head coach Justin Leith. “She’s just a good kid who always plays hard.”
As for where she’s heading after high school, Wilson-Manyacka was hesitant to give an answer. While she has a number of options, she is still sorting through the possibilities for her future.
“I haven’t been focused on that too much,” said Wilson-Manyacka. “I’ve been focusing on school and my team.”
She’s got no shortage of offers and has one more year to play for high school and AAU, as well as Team USA. Wilson-Manyacka has made a national impact on Team USA’s U16 and U17 teams — winning two gold medals in the last two years with the national program.
At the 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup in Irapuato, Mexico, she averaged a tournament leading 18 points along with 7.2 rebounds and nearly four steals per game.
Her dominant performance secured her the tournament MVP title and cemented her as the leading member of the All-Star Five at this prominent event. These impressive showings on the national stage are another element of her resume working in her favor.
Although the Bulldogs lost to Westtown 50-40, Wilson-Manyacka’s goal is to win another state championship in Maryland. With her leadership qualities, selfless nature and high level of play, the college basketball world is eagerly waiting to see where Wilson-Manyacka will go.
Photo by River Mitchell/The Student