Yale basketball player sets sights on NBA

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - Yale Basketball and the NBA, not a combination you regularly use in the same sentence.

"When yale makes an offer, it's pretty much impossible to say no to," said Greg Mangono.

He plays home games in front of friends and family, and in 4 years, he's developed into a pro prospect.

"He's probably has the most confidence of any player I've ever coached here," said Coach James Jones. "I'm amazed sometimes at what he's able to do."

Standing 6-foot-10, with room for growth, his potential has yet to hit its ceiling.

"Has it always been your dream to play in the NBA?"

"yeah, ever since I started playing basketball,' said Mangano. "You ask any kid that and I think they'd day the same thing. That's the best of the best."

Not every kid though has Mangano's size, skill and competitive drive.

A year ago Mangano dipped his toe in the NBA water, entering his name in the draft before pulling out.

"It was nice to see some interest from the NBA and coach thought it was a good idea," Mangano said.

"I thought it would be good for him because I thought he should have been player of the year in the league," said Coach Jones. "I don't really think people knew who Greg Mangano was."

This season, they're finding out.

Mangano is setting records at Yale. He just broke Chris Dudley's all time block mark and the school rebound record is an arms length away.

The competition is stiff too, 26 points and 15 rebounds against top 10 Florida wasn't a fluke.

"He's gotten tougher and stronger and he's playing with confidence," said Coach Jones.

"Personally I felt good after that game about the way I played against some of that comeptition this summer," Mangano said, "those athletic-type bigger, stronger guys."

"He's got great hands, great feet. He's done a real good job offensively to make himself a better player," said Coach Jones.