The saga surrounding Italian center Luigi Suigo has been one that Villanova fans have kept a close eye on.
Suigo is currently entered into the 2026 NBA Draft but has expressed interest in coming to college if he is not one of the top 20 picks — or at least in the first round. The early thought is that Suigo would go in the second round, which could lead to him playing in college for one year and potentially coming to Villanova.
But will that change in the coming weeks?
Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports put together his latest mock draft and it features Suigo going No. 27 to the Boston Celtics. Would this be enough to keep Suigo out of college?
O’Connor writes:
“Suigo has said he wants to be the Italian Wemby and, at 7-foot-3 with passing feel and shooting touch, you can see why a teenager might put that out into the universe. Suigo lacks the handle and self-creation chops to ever be the best player on a team, but his dynamic skills as a passer, shooter, and lob threat layer cleanly on top of baseline center duties as a screener, finisher, and rim protector. Becoming the Italian Marc Gasol is a more realistic goal, and would still be an excellent outcome. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Celtics system.”
Suigo, who hails from Milan, played this past season with KK Mega Basket in Serbia. He has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and was invited to the NBA Combine this weekend. Suigo averaged 8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game in the Adriatic League last year. At 7-foot-3, Suigo has good mobility and length. He has the makings of a future NBA center but could opt to come to college for one year first.
Suigo reportedly will not enter the draft if he is not considered a first-round pick, as high as the top 20. This has not been confirmed directly. Many publications have viewed Suigo as a second-round pick but that could be changing leading up to the draft.
Suigo has until June 13 to withdraw his name from the draft. This would allow him to play in college next season.
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