In a EuroBasket battle of current versus former Arizona Wildcats point guards, it was the more experienced one who came out on top Friday.
Nico Mannion and Italy defeated Kerr Kriisa-led Estonia 83-62 in the opening round of EuroBasket 2022 Group C action.
Mannion had 12 points, four assists and four rebounds for Italy, who overcame the absence of injured star forward Danilo Gallinari.
Kriisa did everything in his power to keep heavy underdog Estonia in the game, scoring 20 points on 8-11 shooting including 4-6 from 3-point range. He had six assists but also five turnovers.