People react to Arizona Wildcats-bound Nico Mannion putting on a show at Nike Hoop Summit
The Arizona Wildcats' down season may soon be forgotten when Phoenix Pinnacle senior point guard Nico Mannion begins his college career.
If Friday's dominating performance for World Select in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland is any indication, the Wildcats can feel pretty good about quickly turning the page on one of the worst seasons in the Sean Miller era.
In 26 minutes, the 6-foot-3 Mannion had 28 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers. He made 11 free throws and had five assists and five rebounds for the World in a 93-87 loss to USA Junior National Select at the Moda Center.
Mannion, representing Italy, the national team he played for last summer, led all scorers.
Point guard Cole Anthony, from Oak Hill Academy, led USA with 25 points.
Mannion impressed the Portland Trail Blazers' Evan Turner.
Mike Schmitz, an NBA draft analyst for ESPN, tweeted that Mannion had a "monster showing" and showed some of his highlights.
Percy Evans, who covers Washington basketball for the Seattle Times, was struck by Mannion's overall game enough to tweet that Mannion "just might be the best point guard in the Pac-12 next season."
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