Manny Leaks

Emanuel "Manny" Leaks Jr. (born November 27, 1945) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association. A 6-foot-8 forward/center, Leaks was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Emanuel Sr. and Sadie Leaks, the youngest of four children with three older sisters. Although the family had little money, all four children graduated from college.

Leaks took up basketball at the age of 13, having already grown to over 5-foot-10. He attended East High School, where he starred under coach Chuck Lyons. He had chosen East over another school in part because of Lyons' persuasiveness and because the majority-white school offered access to newer books. After a poor showing as a sophomore led Lyons to demote him, Leaks worked diligently to sharpen his skills and played with added defensive intensity to prove himself.

He went on to play collegiately at Niagara University from 1965 to 1968, where he averaged 17.3 points and 15.1 rebounds per game over his career. Leaks afterward turned professional, competing in both the ABA and the NBA.