FSU wing Terance Mann: 2nd round pick of the L.A. Clippers in the 2019 NBA Draft

After playing in more games than any other man in Florida State basketball history, Terance Mann is now a Los Angeles Clipper, after being taken with the 48th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. His selection gives the Seminoles two NBA draft picks—both ultimately headed to the Clippers—in a single draft for the second time in three years.

Hailing from Lowell, Massachusetts, Mann chose Florida State because he wanted to help change the culture of the program and get FSU back into the NCAA Tournament. Part of the heralded 2015 recruiting class that featured top-40 recruits Malik Beasley and Dwayne Bacon, Mann was a bit overlooked coming in at “just” the 100th ranked recruit in the nation. Four years later he leaves behind a legacy few can surpass (or even match) in the Garnet and Gold.

Mann’s time at FSU is arguably the most successful four-year stretch in Seminole history, featuring three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s, one Elite 8, a trip to the ACC Tournament Championship game, a school record 29 wins in one season, and turning the Donald L. Tucker Center into one of the hardest places for opponents to steal a win in the entire country. And he did it all with a mega-watt smile on his face and willingness to do whatever his coaches and teammates needed him to do in order to be successful.

Not dominant in any one traditional statistical category, Mann left his mark as the ultimate box score stuffer. Whether it was throwing down a rim rocking dunk on an offensive rebound, blocking a shot on help defense, tossing a lob to waiting teammate, leading the fast break, or hitting a game winning shot, Mann could do it all.

As the son of a coach, Mann credits his mother for his high basketball IQ and strong work ethic; and what a work ethic it was. Not gifted with a naturally pure shooting motion, Mann’s freshman year saw him connect on just 45% of his free throws and only 4-13 from deep. By his senior year, Mann had transformed into a 79% free throw shooter and a 39% three point shooter, on more than five times as many attempts as his freshman year.

Heading to the NBA, it’s possible Mann could start out as many draft picks do—honing his craft in the G League. But with the recent creation of the league’s two-way contracts that allow players to suit up for both the G League and NBA affiliate team throughout the season, it’s very possible Mann finds himself on an NBA court sooner rather than later.

His all around game and ability to defend all over the court make him someone who has the potential to carve out a length NBA career. And if he can continue to develop his confidence from the perimeter, he just might turn into a prized 3&D weapon.