For Nico Mannion, the right college choice was the University of Arizona. Sean Miller never left his side and Nico never left Miller through all of the turmoil caused by ESPN. Nico Mannion has been in the spotlight since he was 15 years old with a full-article by Sports Illustrated. The wait is almost over and Miller and Mannion are a perfect marriage. Sean Miller is a hard coach that will get the most out of his players. It doesn’t matter how highly recruited you are. We’ve seen it with Aaron Gordon, Stanley Johnson, and Deandre Ayton. All of these players were drafted in the top 10 and Gordon and Ayton went top 5. Nico made the right decision because not only does Miller get the most out of his players he is a former point guard and Nico is the most talented PG he’s ever brought to Tucson. Nico averaged 30 PPG, 6 APG, 6 RPG, and 2.8 SPG to go with back-to-back state 6A Titles.
Nico joins former Wildcats Alex Barcello, Jerryd Bayless, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson, and Channing Frye. Whoever UofA wants in the state of AZ they get. Barcello, Bibby, and Bayless all won it multiple times, like Nico. We’ve seen him dominate on a national level and even an international level. The kids a savage on both ends of the floor and the ultimate team player.
High schoolers nowadays come in so much more ready to compete and play at a high level. Nico has played with the best players in the country for some time and has even played for Team Italy. Mannion has always had a target on his back and opponents try and rattle his cage every game, but he continues to hit big shots with the game on the line. He’s one of the toughest kids you’ll see on a court and will not back down from anyone. Earning the nickname “the Red Mamba” for his fire-red hair. Nico met the legendary Bryant because of the Italian connection. Kobe’s dad played in Italy and knew Nico’s dad Pace Mannion and orchestrated a meeting with the great. Nico finished with 19 PPG including a 42 pt. game in 28 minutes. Look for Nico, Zeke, and Josh Green to gel with Brandon Williams forming a nasty foursome.
BigCatSports 