He embraces his new responsibility. After being a mainstay with the Clippers for six seasons, helping the franchise to its first appearance in the Western Conference finals, he now becomes an example-setting guard entering the prime of his career.

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He understands being a role model, especially for the youth in Lowell with NBA aspirations, as he had 15 years ago.

“It’s a super-amazing feeling I have [mentoring],” he said. “Ever since I was a little kid I always used to tell myself if I ever make it I’m going to do a whole bunch of stuff in Lowell. I felt like Lowell needed growing up. And I’d always be brainstorming, once I got to college, I was like if I ever get enough money I’m going to start a league out there and start a camp, do things I didn’t have that my friends and I always wanted.

“Lowell is growing and it’s going to continue to grow as long as I’m around.”

Mann’s path to the NBA was improbable. He rose to a four-star recruit at Tilton School and chose Florida State over of Marquette, Boston College, and Virginia. Playing with a handful of future NBA players at Florida State that included Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley, Jonathan Isaac, Mfiondu Kabengele, and Devin Vassell, Mann played four years and was a second-round pick of the Clippers.

He was a product of Leonard Hamilton’s tutelage and work ethic, a relentless defender and improving offensive player who has played seven seasons in the NBA.

“It was super difficult because I really didn’t have anybody to look up to that had done it,” Mann said of growing up as a prospect in Lowell. “But it was just a dream, really, and once I was able to branch off and start playing against kids in Boston and other different cities and comparing my games to theirs and then hearing all the kids from Boston and how much success they had with players before me, like Wayne Selden, Nerlens Noel, they paved the way and once I saw their journey I just followed right behind them.”

The decision to sign with Florida State was because of Hamilton, who told Mann he could fulfill his NBA dreams. That message was all the inspiration Mann needed.

“I felt like that was my ultimate dream and that coaching staff really believed in me,” said Mann, who averaged 11.4 points and shot 39 percent from the 3-point line as a senior at Florida State. “I was super excited to go there and get a chance to become an NBA player. There were a couple of moments in high school where I went to a bunch of different camps like the LeBron [James] and [Kevin Durant] camp and I was able to play against other guys across the country who were highly rated and I saw all the [future NBA guys] who played there and thought I probably have a chance.

“I really surprised a lot of people with who I was, random kid from Lowell, Mass., [at] Florida State playing against these highly ranked kids that were in the spotlight. It was a ton of fun to make a name for myself.”

And the move to Brooklyn was a much-needed fresh start to reinvigorate his career. The Nets have seven players 21 or younger, including five first-round picks from the June draft. Mann and recently acquired Haywood Highsmith are the graybeards at age 28. Brooklyn has undergone a series of facelifts since breaking up the Durant, Kyrie Irving, James Harden trio, and this iteration will be a younger, athletic team that will play hard under Jordi Fernandez. Mann relishes the opportunity.

“I was super excited to be traded the first time, I kind of felt like my time in LA was up and it was time for me to get out of there,” Mann said. “I did six seasons there as a second-round pick and a lot of guys don’t get to do that so, I really felt excited to get traded to the East Coast and to an organization like Atlanta. The coaching staff was great and we had a good time.”

But Mann said he knew the stay in Atlanta would be temporary with the club looking to acquire a difference-making big man (Porzingis) and the Nets took on the final three years and $46 million of his contract.

“It didn’t come as a surprise to me,” he said. “It’s going to be crazy to play in an environment like that, something new. I’m one of the oldest guys on the team, want to be a leader, show those guys what it takes to win. I’ve been with those guys a ton [this summer] and they’re super hungry, willing to learn basketball. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited for the challenge and I feel like I was built for this. I’m in my prime right now and ready to show the world what I’ve really got outside this role I’ve been playing for the last six seasons.”

Mann has averaged just 6.2 shot attempts per game during his career. That number may boost significantly with an increased role. In his small sample size with the Hawks, he made 54.1 percent of his field goal attempts and 38.6 from the 3-point line.

Nic Claxton and Michael Porter Jr. are the most established veterans on the squad and Mann could become a third scorer as well as utility player who could spark hustle plays and defense. He’s thrived in the past because of his versatility, overlooked because he was not heralded. That’s a journey he’s grown comfortable with.

“My message to the kids I work with is follow your own path,” he said. “A lot of kids like to be somebody else but I was never that kid. I was the kid who was myself. I knew what I was good at. I knew what I needed to be good at and I just followed that path and eventually I got past everybody. I learned if I really wanted to make it in life I just got to be myself and be my own man.”

Mann could become a third scorer as well as utility player for the Nets.Erik Rank/Associated Press

Games to watch

A top-10 list for the first half

The NBA schedule has intriguing games and two new networks. Gone is Turner Sports and its Thursday night package. NBC returns to the NBA landscape, along with Amazon with a streaming package.

Although the Celtics took a cut in their national television appearances because of the injury to Jayson Tatum, there are plenty of attractive games as the Thunder look to defend their championship.

A list of the top-10 games of the first half of the regular season:

Oct. 21: Rockets at Thunder

The Thunder will get their championship rings and newest Rocket Kevin Durant will be on hand to watch the ceremony. This is an early showdown and litmus test for the Rockets, who added Durant, re-signed Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, and acquired Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith. Are the Rockets ready to compete with the NBA’s elite? There has not been a repeat champion since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

Oct. 22: Spurs at Mavericks

Not only is this a matchup between Victor Wembanyama, who returns from blood clot issues, and Maine native Cooper Flagg, it’s a battle between two emerging teams that believe they have enough to contend in the Western Conference. The Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell to replace the injured Kyrie Irving and also return Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively, and Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks are hoping for a fast pivot from the disastrous Luka Doncic deal. The Spurs drafted Dylan Harper, re-signed De’Aaron Fox to a max extension, and named Mitch Johnson coach. No more excuses for the Spurs. The rebuild is over.

Oct. 31: Celtics at 76ers

This is the first game of the NBA Cup and the Celtics are in a winnable group with the 76ers, Nets, Pistons, and Magic. The question is whether Joel Embiid will be healthy enough to play. Although the teams meet opening night in Boston, this rivalry will intensify as it’s the first time they’re in the same NBA Cup group. The 76ers should (and that’s a big should) be healthy with Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, and Paul George along with Embiid.

Nov. 11: Lakers at Thunder

An early-season opportunity for the Lakers to prove they’re a true contender in the Western Conference. Los Angeles re-signed a slimmed-down Doncic, along with signing Marcus Smart to fortify the backcourt. LeBron James returns for his 23rd season but he is not signed beyond this season. The Thunder bring back their title team and their goal is to maintain chemistry, stay healthy, and prepare for what should be a more difficult playoff run.

Nov. 22: Knicks at Magic

This could be a preview of the Eastern Conference finals as the Magic have aspirations of being an elite team with the addition of Desmond Bane. Orlando also could use some good health because Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner each missed substantial time last season. The Knicks are now led by veteran coach Mike Brown and added former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to pad the bench. There are no excuses for the Knicks with the Celtics and Pacers each dealing with injuries. The Magic, Cavaliers, and Pistons are their primary obstacles in the East.

Dec. 20: Rockets at Nuggets

The Nuggets traded for Cameron Johnson and finally parted ways with Michael Porter Jr., adding Bruce Brown, a key component to their NBA title team, and Jonas Valanciunas to give Nikola Jokic some relief. David Adelman was named coach and the Nuggets believe they are better defensively with Johnson and Brown, and younger with DaRon Holmes back. His missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles’. The Rockets are still quite young with Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson.

Dec. 25: Cavaliers at Knicks

The Cavaliers added Lonzo Ball to their backcourt but are essentially the same roster that lost a second-round series to the Pacers. The Cavaliers had the most wins in the Eastern Conference last season but looked vulnerable against Indiana. The Knicks should be a different team under Brown, playing faster. But it’s uncertain if that style will fit with ball-dominant Jalen Brunson.

Jan. 5: Warriors at Clippers

Talk about the battle of win-now teams. The Warriors are expected to add 39-year-old Al Horford to supplement their frontcourt with the departure of Kevon Looney and the Clippers bested the Warriors by bringing back 40-year-old Chris Paul to back up James Harden. This may be the Warriors’ final stand with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green all 35 or older. The Clippers are not much younger with Kawhi Leonard and Harden in their mid-30s. Neither team is projected to challenge the Thunder, but that could change with good health and good fortune.

Feb. 9: Hawks at Timberwolves

The Hawks added former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis along with former Timberwolf Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard and Caleb Houstan to help out Trae Young and give the Hawks their best chance to reach the conference finals since their 2021 run. The Timberwolves made no significant offseason moves and are banking that Anthony Edwards, a re-signed Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert are enough in the West. They also have a group of youngsters, including Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham, who should help.

Feb. 12: Bucks at Thunder

The Bucks made moves to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo engaged and happy. By this time, the trade deadline will be over and the Bucks could be a completely different team. Will Antetokounmpo request a trade if the Bucks don’t get off to a fast start? He is leaving his options open.

The Spurs enhanced their coaching staff, adding former Sonics and Magic swingman Rashard Lewis as a player development coach. Lewis, who had played in the Big3 since his retirement, was on the Spurs’ coaching staff at NBA Summer League and has NBA coaching aspirations. Lewis won a championship in 2013 with the Heat along with Ray Allen, his teammate for many years with the SuperSonics … The Celtics finally signed Amari Williams to a two-way contract about two months after they drafted him in the second round. Boston weighed its options with two-way contacts before agreeing to a deal with Williams, the center from Kentucky, and also adding RJ Luis. They waived former UC Santa Barbara standout Miles Norris, who had his moments in summer league, but Luis was their preference. The Celtics inquired about Luis following the draft but the Jazz nabbed the swingman with a two-way contract … The Raptors delayed their search for a president after agreeing to part ways with Masai Ujiri and instead extended the contract of general manager Bobby Webster, essentially giving him the powers of president. Why the Raptors parted ways with Ujiri, who put together Toronto’s only championship team in 2019, is uncertain, but the organization reveres Webster and he has helped put together the current roster, which appears ready to make a playoff push after three consecutive seasons in the draft lottery … A player to watch for the Raptors is Brandon Ingram, who has battled health issues throughout his career but enters this season healthy and with a contract extension … The Celtics are bringing in former Rutgers standout Ron Harper Jr. on a training camp deal as they continue to fill the G-League Maine roster under first-year coach Phil Pressey. Harper is the older brother of second overall pick Dylan Harper and has bounced around the NBA, looking for a definitive role. Harper impressed the Celtics during his previous stint but left Maine to sign a two-way contract with the Pistons … The Celtics aren’t the only team shedding salary this summer. The Heat moved swingman Haywood Highsmith to the Nets for a protected 2026 second-round pick, basically a giveaway to get under the first apron.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.