Clayton News Daily

Photo by Brian Paglia Charles Mann, a former standout guard at Union Grove, has given a verbal commitment to play for the Georgia Bulldogs starting with the 2012-13 season.

By Derrick Mahone

dmahone@news-daily.com

Former Union Grove standout Charles Mann committed to play for the University of Georgia on Friday.

The 6-foot-5 rising senior is considered the top point guard prospect in the state this coming season. He transferred from Union Grove to powerhouse Milton in Alpharetta earlier this summer, citing his father's job relocation.

He chose the Bulldogs over Florida State.

"I'm a UGA BULLDOG!!!i committed...time to work even harder now," Mann posted on his Facebook status.

"I always wanted to go to Georgia," Mann said when reached by cellphone Friday evening. "I have an opportunity to come in and play right away since they will have two guards leaving."

Mann averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Wolverines, who lost in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs.

He entered the spring evaluation period with offers from several mid major programs, but interest began to widen when NCAA champion Connecticut made an offer. Next came an offer from Florida State, and then the others began pouring in. Locally, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State had extended offers among the 24 other schools.

He became a high priority for Georgia coach Mark Fox this summer. When the evaluation period started on July 6, Mann was the first player that Fox scouted when he traveled to Indianapolis for a camp.

"We built a great relationship, and that helped in the decision," Mann said.

Transferring to Milton puts Mann on a high-profile team. Last season, Milton was nationally ranked by several publications. The Eagles lost to Norcross in the Class AAAAA title game.

He becomes the second basketball player with ties to the Southern Crescent to commit. Lovejoy rising senior Justin Tuoyo committed to NCAA Final Four participant Virginia Commonwealth.