For Iowa Hawkeyes center Cam Manyawu, success on the basketball court is important—but his faith in God is what truly guides his life.

The rising college basketball star recently shared that one powerful Bible verse continues to shape how he handles challenges in both sports and everyday life.

During an appearance on “The Walk” podcast, Manyawu said he regularly turns to Proverbs 3:5-6, a passage that reminds believers to place their full trust in the Lord.

“It’s always stuck with me, because, you know, even though you’re going through something, it’s always trusting the Lord, that He has your back,” Manyawu said.

The well-known verses read: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

For Manyawu, those words are more than just a favorite scripture—they are a reminder that every challenge serves a purpose.

“And if you’re going through something, I mean, that’s just the plan for you right now, to go through, and you’ll come out better on the other side,” he explained.

That mindset has helped him navigate the highs and lows of being a college athlete. Whether dealing with pressure on the court or frustrations off it, Manyawu said he constantly reminds himself that God is in control.

“Especially with basketball, but even with life, and I always just tell myself, like, God[‘s] got me. I’m okay,” he said. “Like, whatever I’m going through, I’ll make it out of it.”

The athlete’s faith is also visible on social media, where his Instagram bio includes the phrase “Trust in God.”

“Sometimes when I’m struggling, it’s like, man, like, I’m so frustrated, but then it’s just like God has me,” Manyawu continued. “When it’s my time to come out of this, as he has me. I just got to keep working, keep the right mindset, and I’ll be fine.”

Manyawu’s basketball journey has included several stops before landing with the Hawkeyes. He began his college career at the University of Wyoming, where he played in 31 games as a freshman, averaging 7.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. During that season, he recorded seven double-doubles, including a standout 20-point, 11-rebound performance against South Dakota Mines.

He later transferred to Drake University, where he continued to develop his game. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.1 points and a team-leading 5.3 rebounds per game while starting all 35 contests. He also led the team with a 57.8 percent field-goal percentage, along with 24 blocks and 45 steals.

Now in his junior season with Iowa, Manyawu has started every game for the Hawkeyes while averaging 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in about 18 minutes per game. He is shooting an impressive 64 percent from the floor and has reached double digits in scoring seven times this season.

But for Manyawu, the numbers only tell part of the story. What truly defines him is his commitment to trusting God’s plan—no matter where the journey leads.

And as he continues his college basketball career, he says the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 remains his constant reminder that the Lord is always guiding the path ahead.