Point guard JJ Mandaquit updates his recruitment

JJ Mandaquit is tracking as one of the top point guards in the 2025 class. The native of Hawai’i was an invitee to the 2022 Fall USA Basketball junior Minicamp.

“I definitely would say I’m a leader,” Mandaquit told On3. “I’ve been focusing on my leadership skills, trying to make everyone around me better. I watch a lot of players, but I really like to model my game after Chris Paul. He makes everyone around him better; he is a selfless player who can score when he needs to.”

On3 caught up with JJ Mandaquit at the recent Tarkanian Classic to get an update on the state of his recruitment.

“I have offers from Washington State, Portland, Hawai’i, and I just got Stanford,” Mandaquit said.

Mandaquit talks recruitment

Washington State: “I’ve talked with them briefly, but I have a mentor who played there. Derrick Low is kind of a brother to me. My talks with them have been brief, but he’s told me about the school and everything.”

Stanford: “We’re starting to build a relationship. They just started talking with us, you know they offered last week. I like the way they play. They’re in a great conference, the Pac-12. They’re rebuilding the culture there and looking to turn it around.”

“We’ve been talking to BYU, Utah, and Utah State, and I’ve taken unofficials to each of them,” Mandaquit said. “They haven’t offered yet.”

In Mandaquit’s words

“I’m going to be looking closely at the culture of the school,” Mandaquit said. “I want to build a relationship with the coaches, and overall the school has to be a great fit. Coming from Hawai’i culture is a very big thing; the brotherhood on the team and the family feel of the team. It’s important for me to go to a place where everyone plays for one another.

“I don’t think location will matter to me. Playstyle will, though. I’m comfortable playing in a fast-paced style, where the ball moves around a lot.”