Fansided

Incoming college basketball recruits who could be 2020 NBA Draft lottery picks

By Evan Kurland

MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade)
MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade) /
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PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 12: Nico Mannion #2 of World Team handles the ball against the USA Team on April 12, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of USA Basketball. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 (Photo by Sam Forencich/USA BAsketball)
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 12: Nico Mannion #2 of World Team handles the ball against the USA Team on April 12, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of USA Basketball. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 (Photo by Sam Forencich/USA BAsketball) /

7. Nico Mannion, Arizona

Current Strengths: Will be one of the youngest, if not the youngest player in the 2020 NBA Draft as he graduated high school early to play for Arizona in 2019-2020. Took the “next step” in evaluators eyes during this year’s all-star circuit with his continued improvement and fiercely competitive nature. Mannion’s competitiveness matches his fellow class colleague Cole Anthony, and the two were notably going back-and-forth during practice scrimmages.

Mannion is a do-everything guard from playmaking to scoring. He can score at every level and will be a consistent perimeter threat during his potential one year at Arizona. Mannion possesses a great handle and Is on-target with his passes and can expertly find teammates in transition or in the half-court. Will be a high assist-to-turnover guard since he takes care of the ball so well and makes good decisions constantly.

Room for growth: NBA franchises will love having Mannion enter the NBA at 18 years old, however being that young also includes a year of not being as developed athletically and physically. Mannion has already good but improving athleticism, and NBA teams will not be able to accelerate the time it takes for the requisite physical maturity. Strength will have to be added (currently 180 pounds). Will have a higher floor than most prospects because of how well-rounded he is but his ceiling will be determined by how his body develops during the next two-four years.