Arizona guard and former Pinnacle star Nico Mannion will be heading off to the Bay to play with the Golden State Warriors. He was drafted 48th overall in this year’s NBA Draft after playing one year in Tucson.
There are a number of intriguing storylines with this pick, including Mannion’s father, Pace, who was also drafted by the Warriors 43rd overall all the way back in 1983. The organization seems to think fondly of the Mannion family.
48th pick in 2020 -> 43rd pick in 1983
Like father, like son. pic.twitter.com/n3AR3XhjNf
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 19, 2020
Additionally, the selection of a Wildcat has to be a good sign for former Arizona guard and current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr as well. He gets to coach a player from his alma mater.
Bear Down! https://t.co/hVrVkOJD6J
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) November 19, 2020
In one season at Arizona, Mannion averaged 14 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Originally projected to be a lottery pick, Mannion’s stock fell after one year in college, but learning from Steph Curry and Kerr seems like it could help any young guard with trying to elevate their game at the next level. Mannion also attended one of Curry’s select camps in high school.
Just a couple short years ago and during Mannion’s senior year at Pinnacle, he averaged over 30 points per game, 6.2 assists, and 6.2 rebounds, leading the Pioneers to back-to-back 6A state titles and capping off a 27-3 season.
Mannion was the third Wildcat taken off draft boards, joining guard Josh Green (18th overall, Dallas Mavericks) and forward Zeke Nnaji (22nd overall, Denver Nuggets).
