Danny Manning was in Lawrence not one of 29 cities with NBA teams as preseason training camps opened Tuesday throughout the country.

The 14-year NBA veteran, who was granted his release by the Dallas Mavericks on June 25, has been working out daily at Allen Fieldhouse and other gyms around town, while also preparing for Friday’s ribbon-cutting at his new “Rock Chalk Car Wash” at 1215 E. 23rd St.

Admittedly excited about his new business venture, Manning is not ready to hang up his Nikes just yet.

“I’m just waiting for a situation to pop up. If I don’t get picked up this year, it could be done,” said the 36-year-old Manning of his career. “Or I could play elsewhere (Europe). It’s always an option.”

Manning he has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz along with the Mavericks would not comment on media reports that listed Minnesota and New York as possible NBA destinations.

“Teams have called but nothing really to my liking,” Manning said. “It’s a situation I didn’t want to go in on a non-guarantee (contract). I can wait as long as I want. If the season starts I would not have a problem with that,” he added, referring to joining a team that might need a veteran player as the year progressed.

Meanwhile, Manning and Lawrence businessman Doug Compton are ready to unveil their new car wash. Refreshments will be served to the public from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the car wash.

“We feel it’s a state-of-the-art car wash,” Manning said. “We thought it’d be beneficial to that side of town. I have some friends involved in car washes. It’s something interesting to me. I wanted to do something in Lawrence. It’ll be my home,” added Manning, who grew up in North Carolina but attended Lawrence High his senior year of high school and KU from 1984-88.

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Walters to assist Pritchard: Former Kansas University standout Rex Walters, 32, has accepted an assistant coaching position with ex-Jayhawk Kevin Pritchard’s Kansas City Knights.

Walters scored 15 points and had seven assists, pacing the Knights to victory in last year’s ABA title game.

“It has been a lot of fun so far working with Kevin, Chad and Bob,” Walters said of Pritchard and fellow assistants Chad Buchanan and Bob Foley. “I had great success as a player and hopefully it will turn into great success as a coach. I am really glad to be here.”

Pritchard is beginning his third year with the Knights.

“Rex has been a great player the last two years for the Knights,” Pritchard said. “He has a great handle and incredible knowledge of the game of basketball and he knows how to teach. During the games last season he was always like another coach on the bench, so this will be an easy transition for him and the coaching staff. Rex will be a heavy influence from day one, no doubt about it.”

The team will hold tryouts Oct. 19 and 20 at the Johnson County Girls Athletic Assn. Registration forms can be found online at www.knightsfans.com.