Where are they now: Sam Maniscalco

HOW WE KNOW HIM: Maniscalco enrolled at BU in summer, 2007 and was one of the primary faces of the program for the next four seasons as a three-time captain. He transferred to Illinois for his final year of eligibility in 2011-12.

At BU, Maniscalco averaged 10.9 points and 3.2 assists in 111 games, of which he started 83. Maniscalco's best year was 2009-10 when he averaged 13.1 points and 3.4 assists. He was limited to just six games in 2010-11 because of ankle injuries.

At Illinois, he was again slowed by the ankle trouble, averaging 6.1 points and 2.3 assists in 28 games.

Maniscalco, whose father, Carl, also played for the Braves from 1978-80, was recruited to BU by Jim Les out of Chicago St. Patrick High School.

TODAY: Maniscalco has worked for the past year with Stryker, a medical technology company, and is based in Chicago. He spends much of his time in surgery as the company's representative for total hip and knee implant equipment.

"I scrub in and am there to answer any questions and be the contact for the company," he said. "It's a good industry to be in, not something I thought I'd be doing."

Before joining Stryker, Maniscalco signed a contract to play for a Russian professional team, but the agreement fell through before he left home.

"I do still have the desire to play," he said. "A lot of teams were afraid because of my injury history, which is all better now. I'm not sure the desire is the same as it was a year ago because I'm enjoying this next chapter of my life."

He also would like to break into college basketball television analyst work in the future.

BU-ILLINI GAME: Maniscalco attended last weekend's Bradley at Illinois game and wore gray Bradley sweat pants and Illinois shorts.

"It was enjoyable, a good feeling," he said. "I was asked 50 times who I was rooting for. I look at it as a privilege to have played for both programs, which both have great basketball tradition, notoriety and great backing. It was a win-win for me. I wasn't cheering for one team or the other. I was just there to see people and see a good game."

COLLEGE MEMORIES: "The first one, ironically, was beating Illinois in Vegas (in 2010)," he said. "When I was at Illinois, the Maryland game on the road was a big win and I played well there. The Gonzaga game at home was a heckuva atmosphere.

"The biggest memories for me, though, were my teammates, coaches and the team camaraderie. I had such a good time at both schools, moreso with Bradley because I was there for four years. It's where I grew up. I fell in love with the city, the university and the fans. But I have great memories at both places. I wouldn't trade either experience for anything in the world."