Future Arizona point guard Nico Mannion has brought some UA flavor to his sneaker selection.
Mannion and Pinnacle High School battled Horizon in Scottsdale on Tuesday night, and the 2019 five-star played in custom-made Under Armour sneakers, called "SC 3Zero II" from Stephen Curry's line. An all-white pair of sneakers with red trim, the right shoe had a graphic of Wilbur Wildcat close to the heel while the left sported the block "A."
.@niccolomannion Shoe game tonight 🔥🔥 pc @nclarkphotos pic.twitter.com/oggTqmKegq
— AZ Finest Mixtape (@AzFinestMixtape) November 28, 2018
Mannion is ranked as the No. 1 point guard for 2019, per 247Sports.com, and signed his national letter of intent on Nov. 14 to play at Arizona.
UA head coach Sean Miller praised Mannion's skillset during a press on Tuesday.
"He's somebody that walks in the door with great size and athleticism, but I think a complete and total understanding how to play," Miller said. "I would call him an all-everything point guard. He can score and really finish in transition, but he also knows how to get others involved."
Mannion is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game for Pinnacle this season.
Meet 4 of the newest Arizona Wildcats, with analysis from Sean Miller
Miller breaks down 2019 recruiting class
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Coach Sean Miller said he's especially proud of the 2019 recruiting class given the time and energy his staff put into landing the players.
A news conference Oct. 23, 2018, at McKale Center was about more than just the Arizona Wildcats' season. Coach Sean Miller introduced four players — Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Christian Koloko and Terry Armstrong — who signed for 2019. A fifth commit, Zeke Nnaji, is expected to sign this spring.
Here's a look at the four newest Wildcats:
Nico Mannion
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Pinnacle’s Nico Mannion kisses the trophy after beating Mountain Pointe in the 6A Boys State Basketball Championship game at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, on Feb. 28, 2018.
Position: Point guard
Ranking: 5-star, No. 1 point guard
Hometown: Phoenix (Pinnacle HS)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180 pounds
Date committed: Sept. 14, 2018
Highlights:
Sean Miller says: "I give Nico a lot of credit because he was the first to jump on board. And true to being a great point guard, you lead from the front both on offense and defense but oftentimes you lead off the court as well. And in so many ways him and his family made it OK to come to Arizona this fall. He paved the way for others to join him. Obviously, him and Josh Green are very good friends because they play on the summer circuit together but Nico is somebody that walks in the door with great size and athleticism but I think a complete and total understanding of how to play the position. I wouldn’t consider him just a pass-first point guard; I would call him an all-everything point guard. He can score. He can really finish in transition but he also knows how to get others involved."
Josh Green
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Josh Green played with Deandre Ayton at Phoenix Hillcrest Prep.
Position: Small forward, shooting guard
Ranking: 5-star, No. 3 small forward
Hometown: Australia (IMG Academy, Florida)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 190 pounds
Date committed: Oct. 4, 2018
Highlights:
Sean Miller says: "Josh can play either wing spot. I think his shot is really developing, that’s probably the thing that’s happened for him the most in the last four or five months even though he had (summertime) shoulder surgery just watching him shoot the ball he’s really on the right track. I saw that because everything else is really in place. He has a 6-11 wingspan, he’s physically strong right now, an excellent defensive player, and is someone who has limitless potential and a lot like Terry and Christian, a great teammate, somebody who loves the game that we’ve known for a long time and again regardless of who he is today I think we have a lot to work with and develop to allow him to grow and become an even better player. Obviously amazing excited to have Josh as well."
Christian Koloko
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Birmingham High School's Christian Koloko (35), in a 2018 Division II playoff game in San Diego, moved to the U.S. from Cameroon a year ago. He played high school ball with incoming UA guard Devonaire Doutrive.
Position: Center
Ranking: 3-star, No. 31 center
Hometown: Cameroon (Sierra Canyon HS, California)
Height: 7-0
Weight: 195 pounds
Date committed: Sept. 23, 2018
Highlights:
Sean Miller says: "Christian is a player we targeted almost from Day 1 for two reasons: One, he’s 7 feet tall and he’s got great hands. He started playing basketball in middle school and he’s an international student that comes from a great family and also is an excellent student. But I think the best is yet to come for him, his ability to catch the ball, his work ethic. I think his unselfish manner gives you somebody who can play the enter position in the way the game is played today. He’s the furthest thing from just a plodder or a 7-foot project. His mobility on offense and defense might be his greatest gift. I look forward to really helping him develop."
Terry Armstrong
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Position: Shooting guard
Ranking: 4-star, No. 5 shooting guard
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona (Bella Vista Prep)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 185 pounds
Date committed: Oct. 24, 2018
Highlights:
Sean Miller says: "Born and raised in the state of Michigan, and I say that because Terry brings a toughness to our program that I think all of us love to have as coaches. He also has great size for a wing and guard. It’s not that he does one thing well. It’s the versatility that jumps off the page when you watch him and I think the best is yet to come. He’s in a program right now that’s playing against the best competition in America at the high-school level and I’m really excited for him, anxious for him to have a great senior year. I think he’ll be able to come in and impact our program right away."
