After landing Memphis big man James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors turned their attention to the second round.
Following moves at last season’s trade deadline that involved Glenn Robinson III, Alec Burks and Willie Cauley-Stein, the Warriors picked up a pair of picks in the second round of the 2020 draft.
With their first pick in the second round, the Golden State Warriors selected Arizona’s Nico Mannion at No. 48 overall.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
Welcome to #DubNation, @niccolomannion 💥#DubsDraft || @Chase pic.twitter.com/KDl6a6PSkd
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 19, 2020
In his freshman season at Arizona, the Italian-born point guard averaged 14.0 points on 39.2% shooting from the field with 5.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 32 games.
Following the pick, Steve Kerr chimed in on Twitter with a reaction to his fellow Arizona alum landing in the Bay Area.
Via @SteveKerr on Twitter:
Bear Down! https://t.co/hVrVkOJD6J
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) November 19, 2020
The former McDonald’s All-American is a crafty passer that could thrive with shooters around him in Kerr’s offense. Mannion has the talent to hit a smooth floater in the lane and knock down a tough jumper off the dribble. As he develops his shooting ability behind Stephen Curry, Mannion could slide in as a playmaking point guard in Golden State’s second unit.
In Rookie Wire’s final draft big board, the Arizona Wildcats product landed at No. 42 overall.
Via Rookie Wire:
Arizona’s Nico Mannion had the second-best assist percentage (31.5%) among all high-major freshmen. But he shot just (26.0%) from 3-point range during his 19 games against top-100 competition. He was only 37.7% from 2-point range in February, raising concerns about his ability to score in the NBA.
As a high school player for Pinnacle in Arizona, Mannion was in the field for Curry’s SC30 Select Camp.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Here’s a 15-year-old Nico Mannion, the point guard the Warriors just took #48 overall, in front of Steph Curry at his camp a few years back pic.twitter.com/oZKaTVGw93
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 19, 2020
Mannion’s former camp leader congratulated the new Golden State rookie with a message on Twitter.
Via @StephenCurry30 on Twitter:
Congrats @niccolomannion https://t.co/DX3AcdJSi5
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) November 19, 2020
Golden State drafted Mannion’s father, Pace Mannion in the second round of the 1983 draft. The former Utah Ute played one season with the Warriors, averaging 2.1 points on 39.7% shooting from the field in 8.2 minutes per contest. After his stint in the Bay Area, Pace Mannion went on to play six seasons in the association.
Via @ESPNStatsInfo on Twitter:
Nico Mannion is the 48th overall pick to the Golden State Warriors.
His father, Pace, was the 43rd overall pick by the Warriors in the 1983 Draft. pic.twitter.com/hvkGlMDr8S
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 19, 2020
With Jordan Poole, Ky Bowman and Damion Lee on the depth chart, Mannion provides Golden State another point guard to develop behind their two-time Most Valuable Player.
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