The Italian prospect bypassed Kevin Young’s NBA-ready system to join the Wildcats, leaving the Cougars to pivot toward 7-foot-5 rim protector Xu Xin to bolster their frontcourt.
Kevin Young and the BYU Cougars can cross Luigi Suigo off the list of possible recruits. The 7-foot Italian prospect entertained the idea of playing in the NBA-ready system before committing to the Villanova Wildcats this week. BYU has been in the market for a big man to stick in the paint, but can't land one.
Suigo is the latest international big man to move on from BYU. He broke down why he decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft, and why Villanova stood out from the rest.
“We started this season at Mega Basket in Serbia thinking we could be very well-prepared for this draft," Suigo told Italian journalist Lacopo De Santis of Pianeta Basket via SB Nation.
"Unfortunately, two or three days before the Combine, I pulled a sprained ankle in practice. I lost some form. I wasn’t able to do the Combine drills, which I think would have helped me improve my picks or my rating. I tried to get back in shape. I came back from Boston this morning. I was in Los Angeles, where my agency’s facility is. I did some workouts. I trained with the Wizards, Spurs and Celtics. They went well. My choice was to stay in the Draft if I had a guarantee of being selected in the first 20 picks."
"First of all, because knowing I’d have a year of development, and done well, I could be much higher in the 2027 Draft. And also, above all, it’s a question of experience. The money part too, of course, but that’s the least important thing right now. I’m very confident in myself. I know what my qualities are. The important thing is to work hard. Villanova will be a place where I can do that very well.”Suigo was generating some buzz in many NBA circles. He was right outside of being a lottery pick and could be one in 2027.
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So where does BYU go from here? If the Cougars stay on the international side, Xu Xin will be a top priority. The 7-foot-5 rim protector has a frame like Victor Wembanyama with only about 70 percent of the athleticism compared to the NBA star. Xin is reportedly considering UConn and St. John's to be in his final teams.
Young will have to sell his previous success with NBA prospects. Egor Demin was a top 10 pick last season and AJ Dybantsa is expected to go No. 1 overall.
