Arch Manning makes surprise request to play basketball at Texas

With all the hype and attention on Arch Manning as the new Texas starting quarterback, he wants the chance to blow off some steam.

Manning's method for doing that? Basketball.

New Longhorns men's basketball coach Sean Miller recently revealed a request that Manning made of him.

Here's how the story goes, as told to insider Jeff Goodman:

"So I was walking across the street last week, or maybe a week and a half ago, and somebody yelled my name, 'Coach Miller, Coach Miller,' I turn around and it was Arch Manning," Miller said. "He's a huge basketball fan, and we came together, he said, you know, 'Welcome to Texas and I'm a big basketball fan.'

"He's with a couple of his friends. and he had one question for me. he said, 'Hey, do you mind if once in a while we sneak in and play pickup?

"Anytime," Miller said he told Manning. "Whatever you do, don't get hurt."

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Miller knows that Manning is the most important man on campus in Austin these days.

Anything to keep him happy, as long as he also stays healthy.

The big Manning question at this point is whether he'll leave Texas after this season for the NFL. He could actually play through the 2027 season with the Longhorns if he wants to.

When he heads to the NFL, he'll be among the favorites to go No. 1 overall, assuming his Texas career pans out the way everyone is expecting.

In the meantime, Manning might spend some time getting buckets.

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