Just in case anyone was really wondering, freshman guard Nico Mannion announced Tuesday he is leaving Arizona for the NBA Draft.
time to chase a dream.. pic.twitter.com/ff9HksJ8Up
— niccolo (@niccolomannion) April 7, 2020
Mannion was considered a one-and-done when he committed to the Wildcats in September 2018, and UA coach Sean Miller confirmed he wouldn't be around long in January, when asked why he recruited Georgetown transfer James Akinjo.
"We're losing Nico," Miller said.
The Star further confirmed the departures of freshmen Mannion, Zeke Nnaji and Josh Green in a March 26 story addressing why they will leave for the NBA Draft.
Mannion was Arizona's second-leading scorer last season with an average of 14.0 points a game while also averaging 5.3 assists and a 2-1 assist-turnover ratio.
He has consistently been rated a solid first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, if not a lottery choice. Mannion is rated No. 16 overall in HoopsHype's aggregated mock draft listing. ESPN rates him the No. 14 best prospect on its prospect list, while Mannion is also No. 14 in NBC's Mock Draft. SI has him at No. 17, as does USA Today and CBS.
In the Sporting News, Mannion is projected to go No. 10.
Nnaji made his departure official on March 31. Green has yet to publicly address his departure.
Without Green, Mannion and Dylan Smith on the perimeter next season, the Wildcats have brought in Georgetown transfer James Akinjo, Seattle U transfer Terrell Brown, Tempe freshman Dalen Terry and Montreal freshman Ben Mathurin to join Jermarl Baker.
Baker, Akinjo and Brown all have point guard experience. Baker played both guard spots, mostly behind Green and Mannion, last season.
Here's a look at UA's 2020-21 roster as of now:
(Four scholarship spots remain open)
James Akinjo* Jr. G 6-0 Richmond, Calif.
Jemarl Baker Jr. G 6-4 Menifee, Calif.
Jordan Brown So. F 6-11 Roseville, Calif.
Terrell Brown Sr. G 6-1 Seattle
Christian Koloko So. C 7-0 Douala, Cameroon
Ira Lee Sr. F 6-7 Los Angeles
Bennedict Mathurin Fr. F 6-6 Montreal
Dalen Terry Fr. G 6-6 Tempe
Brandon Williams** So. G 6-3 Los Angeles
Photos of Nico Mannion during his one season at the UA
Nico Mannion's one season with the Arizona Wildcats in photos
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Nico Mannion and Zeke Nnaji try to rip the ball away from Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle. The Wildcats and Beavers split their season series, with each team winning big at home.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion played one season at the UA before declaring for the NBA Draft.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion shovels an assist around Washington State center Volodymyr Markovetskyy in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, March 5, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) loses the ball on his drive into a crowded lane against Gonzaga in the second half of their match-up between top 20 teams at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
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When Arizona’s Nico Mannion struggled at times with his shot as a freshman, but appeared to be improving by the time the season was canceled due to the coronavirus.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) pleads his case to one of the game officials during a Wildcat free throw attempt against Washington in the first half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, March 7, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
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Nico Mannion averaged 14 points and 5.3 assists per game for Arizona in 2019-20.
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Coach Sean Miller talks with guard Nico Mannion during a game in McKale Center.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion, left, and guard Josh Green clamp down on Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson in their game in Corvallis, Oregon.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1), left, and forward Zeke Nnaji (22) head for the Wildcats huddle during a time out in the game against Oregon at McKale Center, February 22, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
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Nico Mannion has the ability to change speeds and is an elite passer, suggesting a high ceiling as an NBA point guard. Mock NBA drafts have him going anywhere from 10th to 27th.
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Nico Mannion and coach Sean Miller await the decision on the placement of the inbounds pass late in the second half against Gonzaga at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) whips a wrap around pass under UCLA guard Chris Smith (5) along the baseline in the first half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion barrels into USC guard Kyle Sturdivant and picks up a charging foul.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) picks up a charge on his way to the basket over USC guard Kyle Sturdivant (1) during the second half in their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 6, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) nails a three-pointer over the in-your-face defense of Arizona State guard Remy Martin (1) in the first half of their Pac-12 game at the Desert Financial Arena, January 25, 2020 Tempe, Ariz.
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Arizona Wildcats guard Nico Mannion (1) runs the ball up the court during a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the McKale Center, on Jan. 18. 2020.
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ASU’s Kimani Lawrence got a piece of this shot by Arizona’s Nico Mannion on Saturday night, but the Wildcats still won by 28 in their Pac-12 opener.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) gets elbowed by Arizona State forward Romello White (23) on a drive in the second half of their Pac12 opener at McKale Center, January 4, 2020.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) gets ice on his knee as the final minutes tick down in a 75-47 win against Arizona State at McKale Center, January 4, 2020.
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Arizona point guard Nico Mannion has suffered through a shooting slump and a back injury as a freshman.
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Arizona Wildcats guard Nico Mannion (1) practices taking shots before the start of the Arizona vs New Mexico State men's basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., on November 17th, 2019.
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Nico Mannion shot just 39.2% for the season but is viewed as a highly probable first-round draft pick.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) slams home as the Wildcats run through their pre-game routine before taking on Gonzaga in a match-up between top 20 teams at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) drops a pass to forward Ira Lee (11) in the paint against Nebraska-Omaha in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Dec. 11, 2019.
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Nico Mannion was one of three freshmen to start Arizona's 2019-20 season opener, the first time that has happened in program history. Mannion had nine points in the win over NAU.
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Freshman point guard Nico Mannion poses for the Star at Arizona's preseason media day.
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Arizona freshmen Josh Green and Nico Mannion (1) spent three years on the same travel-ball team.
