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Arizona Basketball: Five-star recruit Nico Mannion has Arizona in Top 10

By David Rosen

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Arizona Basketball received some exciting news as a five-star 2020 recruit (or possibly the class of 2019 if he reclassifies) Nico Mannion has Arizona into his top 10 list of schools.

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Extra extra, read all about it! Five-star Nico Mannion, out of Phoenix, just announced his top 10 schools and Arizona was one of those lucky enough to make the cut. After a recent trip to Tucson and some quality time with Coach Sean Miller, Mannion felt like the Arizona Wildcats were Top 10 worthy. Must be that McKale Center magic!

Just felt like it was yesterday when so many people doubted the future of Arizona basketball is recruiting. The class of 2018 is looking solid, and the possibility of the next several classes is looking just as solid is looking really good!

According to 247 sports, Mannion is nationally ranked at No.23, the No.2 point guard overall and the No.2 player in the state of Arizona.  According to 247Sports, he is the “warmest” with Arizona, why not? Having the opportunity to stay in state and play for one of the premier college basketball programs, can’t pass that up. Arizona does have their work cut off for them as there are other big-time programs going after him as well.

That is quite a top 10! Big 12, Pac-12, Big East, ACC and SEC all represented. In today’s game, having a point guard with the skill level that Mannion has is crucial to a team’s long-term success. Every top Division 1 team isn’t going to pass up the opportunity to have him play for their team because they know he is going to be an immediate impact player.

With the possibility of Mannion reclassifying to the Class of 2019 and Brandon Williams hopefully stay at least two years, the Wildcats could have one of the best backcourts in college basketball. After what Villanova did this past season, having a deep backcourt equals success. That’s what the Wildcats hope to achieve if not this season, next season!

Mannion currently plays for Pinnacle High School in Phoenix and his AAU Team West Coast Elite. In his sophomore season, Mannion played in 26 high school games, averaged 23.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds per game and led his team to their first state championship. For his effort, Mannion earned the 2017-18 Arizona Player of the Year in the state of Arizona!

Mannion is originally from Italy, where he got the opportunity to play for his home country in the 2017 U16 Euro Championship. He played in 7 games, averaged 19.9 points, 4.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Having the opportunity to play at the level at a young age, is the type of experience that will go a long way in his basketball career.

He is currently listed at 6-foot-3 and 180 lbs, but he plays much bigger for size. His quickness, his handles, his smooth looking jumper and three-pointer shot, his attacking style to the rim, his creativity with the ball and finding his teammates for easy looks, Mannion can ABSOLUTELY do it all!

Must Read: Arizona Basketball: Which incoming freshman will have the biggest impact

At Zona Zealots, we would like to wish Mannion much success in the next chapter of his basketball career, no matter which school he chooses. Stayed tuned in to see where the “Italian Savage” will be going to college. Bear Down!

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