By ADAM ZAGORIA
JJ Mandaquit, the 6-foot-1, four-star point guard from Utah Prep, committed to Washington Tuesday.
He also considered USC, Louisville, Cal, Hawaii, Creighton, Tennessee, BYU and Virginia.
“I’ve always been a Washington fan because my grandma was from the area and we would always visit the campus when we would visit family in Seattle,” he told Tipton Edits. “Coach [Danny] Sprinkle has been successful everywhere he’s coached and I believe in his plan for the program going forward. I also believe in his vision for me within the program and his plan for me to develop individually. I feel like Coach Sprinkle and the staff can help me achieve my goals as a player while in college and in the future to one day play professionally.”
He added: “I pride myself on doing what’s best for the team. I feel like I can impact the game on both sides of the ball. I want to be someone that people enjoy playing with because I can make the game easier for them. I enjoy being a playmaker who can put my teammates in the best situations for them to be successful. I like to play fast and be creative but still be under control where I can dictate the flow of the game.”
Mandaquit won a gold mead with Team USA in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in 2023, and now plays alongside No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa at Utah Prep.
“JJ is a smart point guard and a fierce competitor that values winning,” Utah Prep coach Justin Yamzon told ZAGSBLOG. “His skillset offensively allows him to get to his spots to facilitate and make reads for his teammates but also score when he needs to. Along with his offensive skillset his ability to defend impacts winning right away at the next level.
“He will continue to develop as a player and leader at the next level. Not only does he bring out the best in those around him he rises to the level to meet the occasion. It has been a privilege being able to coach such a great floor general and even better person.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookFloor General JJ Mandaquit Jr was BALLING in Boston for Utah Prep 🥵@jjmandaquit23 I @UtahPrepMBB I @thegrindsession pic.twitter.com/xOlx1Bu3C7
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) November 7, 2024
