When Emmanuel Kuac stepped on to the University of New Mexico’s campus in the fall of 2019 it didn’t take him long to become a fan favorite. The highflyer put down electric dunk after electric dunk in the historic “Pit” in Albuquerque that left a lasting impression on Lobo fans.
The young bouncy guard listed at 6-foot-7 was a handful for Mountain West teams to handle, but Kuac could not seem to catch a break. Over four years at UNM, he suffered multiple injuries including a torn patellar tendon and a broken fibula, which required surgery. After 48 games in a Lobo uniform, he ultimately decided to leave the school he loved and that embraced him to seek a fresh and healthy start.
“In high school I had a ton of offers. I really ended up at New Mexico because the staff was mostly Canadian,” Kuac said..
It’s been such a journey for him since making that decision. Things are different now than they were. He’s been converted to more of a big even though he can shoot the ball at 40% from 3, something he says he picked up especially with Mike Davis and his recommended routine of 500 shots a day. He has a one-year-old son Ahmaias as well. He’s no longer the fresh legged new kid on campus with the world at his fingertips; it’s now or never for Kuac.
So far this season, it’s been nothing but the now for the 23-year-old from Calgary, Alberta. He is playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds per game. He’s a defensive matchup nightmare and often guards the other team’s best and most dynamic player if they aren’t a point guard. His 56% eFG is extremely impressive for a 4 man, and his ability to drive and rock the rim makes that an even more dangerous figure.
His first season as a Titan was not as smooth sailing, as his rehab from his patellar tendon took well into the season, and by the time he was ready to go the team had already slipped to 0-14. But a new coach in his second season has happened at both his stops, as Richard Pitino came in during his sophomore year.
“I actually played more and better for Pitino than I did than for the staff that recruited me.” he laughed.
This same type of jump has been seen in year two in the D.
Kuac’s impact is also felt far further than the court. He’s got a smile that stretches farther than Woodward and a certain Canadian friendliness that is never missing from an interaction with him. For Coach Montgomery to be able to have a veteran like this is huge considering how young his roster is both on and off the court. As the season continues, Kuac knows he can give even more to this university before starting his professional career, but it won’t be without a little discomfort as the injuries he had don’t just subside forever.
