Nico Mannion plans on being an Arizona Wildcat. The 6-foot-3 guard committed to Arizona on Friday.
Mannion chose UA over Marquette, Villanova, Duke, Kansas, Utah and Virginia. Earlier this month he had cut his list to the Wildcats and Marquette.
Mannion, a five-star recruit reclassified from the 2020 class to the 2019 class, plays at Pinnacle High School, chose UA over Marquette. He is the son of former NBA player Pace Mannion, who played at the University of Utah.
Playing close to home is important to Mannion so Arizona seemed like the favorite all along.
“Their fanbase is crazy,” Mannion told GoAZCats.com about UA’s fans. “… They’re everywhere … it’s cool to know I have a hometown school that’s rooting for me.”
110% committed to the University of Arizona!! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zh24lDl9lh
— niccolo (@niccolomannion) September 14, 2018
Mannion looks to be the centerpiece of a class that might include his friend and AAU teammate Josh Green, who is scheduled to visit UA next month.
Mannion is said to be a heady player who can lead a team. He becomes Arizona first five-star recruit since 2017 when Deandre Ayton committed and signed with UA.
“I feel like I’m a smart player and I understand the game pretty well,” he said to GoAzCats.com. “Then probably my leadership and being able to trust my guys to do what I need them to do.
“I’m pretty much the coach on the floor being a point guard, so I’m always talking trying to get my guys involved.”
Mannion’s commitment gives a hint to Sean Miller’s future recruiting and how recruits are dealing with Arizona’s FBI issues. They aren’t concerned with it.
Mannion averaged 23.4 points and 5.3 assists per game last season for Pinnacle and also played for the Italian U-16 team this summer.
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