New Target on the Horizon for Virginia Basketball
As the college basketball world continues to evolve, Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers are always on the lookout for the next big thing. And it seems they’ve found it in consensus four-star point guard JJ Mandaquit, a top 60 overall recruit from Hilo, Hawaii.
JJ Mandaquit in action
Mandaquit recently announced on social media that he’s received a scholarship offer from the University of Virginia, and it’s easy to see why Bennett and co. are excited about the prospect of landing this talented young player.
A 6'1" point guard who plays for Utah Prep School in Hurricane, Utah, Mandaquit has already made a name for himself on the court, leading Team USA to the gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Cup. With his exceptional playmaking abilities and impressive stats – including 10 assists in the championship game against Italy – it’s no wonder he’s gained attention from some of the top programs in the country.
“Grateful to receive an offer from the University of Virginia,” Mandaquit wrote on social media. “Thank you to Coach Tony Bennett for this opportunity.”
Mandaquit’s momentum has only continued to build this summer, with standout performances at the Adidas 3Stripes Select Basketball Circuit. With his ability to make it look easy on the court, it’s no surprise that he’s caught the eye of top coaches around the country.
JJ Mandaquit showcasing his skills
But what makes Mandaquit such an attractive prospect for Virginia and other programs? For starters, his four-star ranking according to each of the major recruiting services – including 247Sports, which rates him as the No. 6 point guard in the class of 2025 and the No. 3 player in the state of Utah – speaks for itself. Add to that his impressive offer list, which includes Utah, BYU, Washington, Washington State, Utah State, Hawaii, San Diego State, Tennessee, Louisville, and now Virginia, and you have a player who’s clearly got what it takes to succeed at the next level.
With Virginia already having active offers out to 18 players in the recruiting class of 2025, it’s clear that Bennett and his staff are fiercely competitive when it comes to landing top talent. But will they be able to reel in Mandaquit and make him the latest addition to the Cavaliers’ roster? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – this is a recruitment to keep a close eye on.
Mandaquit celebrating with his teammates
