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Franklin native and Holy Cross hoops star Lauren Manis selected in WNBA Draft

She's the first Crusader to ever be drafted, and she'll play for the Las Vegas Aces.

Lauren Manis Holy Cross Basketball Player
Lauren Manis, a former Holy Cross star, is heading to the WNBA. Photo courtesy Holy Cross Athletics

Lauren Manis, a Franklin native, Bishop Feehan product, and Holy Cross standout, is heading to the WNBA.

The Las Vegas Aces selected Manis in the third round, with the 33rd overall pick, in the league’s virtual draft Friday night. She’s the first player from Holy Cross to ever be drafted and the second in Patriot League history.

Manis, a 6-foot-1 forward, is the only Holy Cross women’s or men’s player to ever surpass 2,000 points and 1,000 career rebounds. She was named to the All-Patriot League’s first team each of the last three seasons.

While at Bishop Feehan High (Attleboro), Manis helped the Shamrocks win a state title her senior year in 2016.

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Manis told FOX5 Las Vegas she was flipping between the Food Network and ESPN during the draft, and she was watching the Food Network when her coach called and asked if she had the TV on ESPN. As her Apple Watch blew up, Manis hurriedly flipped back to see that she had been selected.

“I saw my name, and I fell to the ground,” Manis told FOX5’s Paloma Villicana. “I fell into my dad’s arms and started crying. I didn’t really know how to express myself, but it’s a dream come true.”

https://twitter.com/PalomaVillicana/status/1251596623420903424

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