In fact, the former Kansas University basketball All-American is not quite sure where he has stored the third-place bronze medal.

“It’s at the house somewhere,” Manning said.

The U.S. fell to third that year after losing to the Soviet Union in the semifinals at the Seoul (South Korea) Games.

“We were all happy to represent our country and were all very fortunate and honored to receive a medal,” Manning said, “but very disappointed because we wanted the gold. We fell short of it.”

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Manning’s annual weeklong summer camp began Monday at Sport2Sport, the same day the 2004 U.S. national team began practicing in Jacksonville, Fla.

Manning’s college coach, Larry Brown, is leading the U.S. team made entirely of NBA players. Manning played for the last U.S. squad that consisted of all college players. Former Georgetown boss John Thompson coached that club.

“It would be nice (to have all college players), but at the same time, other countries are using their professional players,” Manning said. “In order for us to play with them and the schedule we have, professionals are the best route.”

The pros, Manning said, were more primed to perform at a high level.

“I do believe we could put together a college team and be very competitive and win the gold medal,” he said, “but I think it’ll take more than a month or two months to get ready. It’ll take half a year.”

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Manning, whose 15-year NBA career ended a year ago, is about to begin his second season as a member of the KU basketball staff. He declined an offer to replace Norm Roberts as a full-time assistant coach, electing instead to remain in an administrative role in which he can continue to practice with the team.

“There are a few things I want to do in terms of spending time with my family,” Manning said. “I understand the commitment being an assistant coach in terms of time away on the road recruiting, breaking down and editing film. I see how much time those gentlemen spend right now.”

After a long NBA career, Manning isn’t ready to allot the hours required.

“Eventually it’s something I’d like to get to,” he said. “Right now, I’m not ready for that.”

Manning received a taste of what it’s like to be a full-time assistant when he served as interim aide with road-recruiting duties after Roberts accepted the head-coaching post at St. John’s.

“I had it nice because everywhere I went, I went with coach (Bill) Self. We traveled first class. I didn’t have to do any long driving, any long hours of driving on the road,” Manning said with a laugh. “It worked well.”

He admits times are changing and recruits are changing, too.

“Everybody is unique,” Manning said. “Everybody is special in their own way. Every year there’s a little bit more exposure on all the kids. Their mentality is sometimes different than what I’m used to, something I have to adjust and adapt to.”

More and more preps are considering an immediate jump to the NBA. Manning, who was the country’s No. 1 recruit his senior year of high school, admits he might have been tempted to turn pro as a prep senior or college underclassman if today’s mentality existed then.

“It’s something I would have had to look at,” Manning said. “You go to college to get an education, and that’s very important, but you also go to college to put yourself in a position to get a job once you leave.”

When Manning was a senior at Lawrence High, there weren’t any guaranteed years for a draftee on an NBA contract.

“Now, if you get drafted in the first round,” Manning said, “it’s automatic three guaranteed years and, for some people, that’s a lot of money to turn down when you are guaranteed that.”

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Camp talk: Manning’s camp has attracted just under 300 youths. “Numbers are bigger this year. Everything we teach and stress we feel comfortable with,” he said, referring to team ball and unselfish play. “We have a good staff and the kids have fun.”

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No interest: Manning wasn’t thrilled that the Kansas City Knights issued a bizarre press release last week indicating their desire to pursue him as head coach/general manager. A simple call to Manning would have indicated he had absolutely no interest in that job.

“What can you do? Call up and say, ‘Don’t use my name,”’ Manning said. “It’s not like I spoke with them or anything. I don’t acknowledge it. I just move on.”

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Recruiting update: KU is recruiting Lewis Clinch, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Crisp County High in Cordele, Ga. Clinch is considering KU, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Tennessee.

“Kansas is a great school, and they have a great coaching staff — 17,000 fans fill up the gym to watch Kansas practice during Midnight Madness,” Clinch told Shay Wildeboor of rivals.com. “You don’t see that happen at many schools.”

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Downs’ team wins: Future KU small forward Micah Downs’ AAU team — Seattle Friends of Hoop — won last weekend’s Big Time Tournament at Durango High School in Las Vegas. Downs’ team went 5-0 Sunday to wrap up the 17-and-under crown.