Warsaw alum Kyle Mangas played with the Indianapolis-based Indiana Mad Ants this past season after two years in Europe. Photo provided by Matt Kryger of the Indiana Mad Ants.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

From playing with the Warsaw Tigers to playing amongst the best players in the world, it has been an eventful basketball season for Kyle Mangas with the Indiana Mad Ants. The Mad Ants are part of the National Basketball Association G League and are an affiliate of the Indiana Pacers.

“It for sure is a transition. I would say in the G League and the NBA you are going to find the best athletes that basketball has to offer,” Mangas said. “Guys are so strong and fast. The height and the length that the league offers is crazy. That was probably the biggest difference.”

Mangas appeared in all 34 games of the regular season for the Mad Ants. When compared to the typical roster, Mangas was amongst the highest scorers with 18 a game.

His success is a bit of an underdog story as he did not go to a Division I program but smaller Indiana Wesleyan University.

“My time at IWU definitely prepared me for it. I did play plenty of good players there. The way we all pushed each other I think really prepared me to play in the G League. Although it is a small college we do have high standards,” Mangas said.

Three seasons removed from his college basketball days at IWU, Mangas says he misses playing for the Wildcats.

“Just fell in love with the culture that they had to offer,” Mangas said. “How they care about you as a person. How they help you grow in your faith. It kind of hit all the areas I was looking for. It was a no brainer to go there. I loved every second of it. I really missed playing there and being with those guys.”

Kyle Mangas, seen in a game with the College Park Skyhawks, was among the stat leaders for the Indiana Mad Ants this past season. Photo provided by Matt Kryger of the Indiana Mad Ants.

The Mad Ants have just two players on the roster who did not play for major college program. Mangas had to earn his way to the G League with two years playing in Europe.

“I’m not just playing to prove to myself that I can do it but for other small college basketball players around the country,” Mangas said. “We don’t have the spotlight on us that those power five teams do. There is a lot of talent there and so many good players that can make it. There are other avenues and routes to pursue your dreams to play in the NBA one day and that’s what I’m fighting for.”

His fight was tested when he began playing for a professional team in the Czech Republic in 2021. Mangas then played for a team in Lithuania for the 2022-23 season.

“Playing in Europe the last two years have really helped me from a physicality standpoint,” Mangas said. “Just understanding the game more has helped. It’s really a man’s game over there. It is so physical and the guys are older and have been around a while. Offensively the rules are different over there. You have to be a lot more creative in the way that you score.”

The chance to come back home and play for the Mad Ants materialized this past off-season and Mangas made the most of opportunity. In February, Mangas secured a replacement spot in the Up Next All-Star event Indianapolis. It was an achievement that meant plenty to the 6’4” guard.

“There were so many high level guys and names that were in that event. Though it was pretty short just to be able to be a part of it and see what it was about. The recognition was pretty awesome, not just for me but for our Mad Ants team because we really have had a great year,” Mangas said.

The Indiana Mad Ants saw their season come to a close Tuesday, April 2, with a playoff loss to the Delaware Blue Coats.

Mangas played at Warsaw for his father, Tim. Both his parents in Tim and Ann played basketball for Wawasee. Ann was on the 1985 state finalist squad for the Lady Warriors.

“When I was there we beat Wawasee every year so that was fun to hang that over my parents heads. It’s all good fun and jokes,” Mangas said. ““They’ve helped me so much. From a young age both of them played basketball. My dad played at DePauw. He’s been teaching me since I was little how to dribble, how to shoot and shot fake and simple things like that. My older brother (Jake) too, being two years older than me. I saw him play out the road in front of me in basketball and football. How to carry yourself. My family members had a huge impact on my upbringing I would say.”

Being closer to home with the Mad Ants provided more chances for Mangas to catch Warsaw play this past season.

“I love the Tiger fan base. I was able to come back to a couple games this year. I came for the sectional championship against Penn. I saw guys I knew since they were in first grade in Luke Bricker, Drew Sullivan and Carson Gould. It’s cool to see those guys get there turn. It’s cool that I can watch from the stands and see those guys rep Warsaw on their chest. I appreciate all the support back home. It means a lot.”