USC basketball is a finalist for four-Star Utah guard

J.J. Mandaquit, a four-star point guard who plays at Utah Prep in Murray, Utah, announced his top nine schools with the USC Trojans in the mix. BYU, Cal, Creighton Hawaii, Louisville, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington are also in the running for his commitment, battling USC basketball in this latest theater of events.

Mandaquit played his freshman season at Iolani High School in Honolulu before transferring to Real Salt Lake Academy (now Utah Prep) for the 2022-23 season. He averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.9 steals.

Mandaquit also has Team USA experience. He helped the United States win gold this summer at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship tournament in Mexico. He averaged 3.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds in six games, with his best effort coming with six points, three assists and two rebounds against Argentina in the group phase.

According to the 247Sports Composite, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Mandaquit ranks as the No. 8 point guard and the No. 53 prospect in the Class of 2025. Per247sports

“JJ Mandaquit is a high IQ point guard. He is very cerebral, and he reads the game at an advanced level. The ball is on a strong, and he manipulates angles very well, creating both space and opportunity. While he is an average athlete, he gives good effort on the defensive end. Mandaquit has an array of paint finishes, with floaters and runners. Size may be a question; he plays with a great pace and attacks with great balance. Originally from Hawaii, he is young for his grade, and will not turn 18 until May of his senior year.” – On3‘s Jamie Shaw

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