Luigi Suigo Withdraws, Commits to Villanova University for 2026-27
Luigi Suigo withdrew from the NBA Draft and will play for villanova university in 2026-27. The 7-foot-3 Italian center said an ankle sprain before the Combine and the limits that followed pushed him away from the draft path and toward a season of development.
Suigo's Draft Turn
Suigo said he had hoped to stay in the draft, but he set a clear line for himself: he would only remain in if he had a guarantee of being selected in the first 20 picks. He added that he could have stayed in the first round, even with Boston at pick 27, but chose the safer route after losing ground.
“We started this season at Mega Basket in Serbia thinking we could be very well prepared for this draft. 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.”
Villanova University Frontcourt
That move leaves villanova university with a 7-foot-3 center who can reshape its frontcourt plans around size and development. Kevin Willard now has a roster that stands at 12 players, and he will look to add a bit more frontcourt depth.
Suigo’s own words point to why Villanova fit the decision. He said it was “nice to know I’m going to a college where I can develop and position myself well in the next draft,” and he said Villanova is a place where he can work hard. He also said, “The higher you are, the more a team is committed to player development.”
Boston Pick 27
The draft math mattered because Suigo was not chasing just any second-round landing spot. He said he would have stayed only with a first-20 guarantee, even though he believed he could have remained in the first round with Boston at pick 27. That left him measuring one more year of development against a draft slot that did not meet his bar.
He also said he is a San Antonio Spurs fan and called it strange to see Knicks-related posts on Instagram. Those details sit on the edge of the decision, but the main outcome is simple: Villanova gets a massive incoming big man, and Suigo gets a season to build toward the 2027 Draft instead of forcing a weaker entry now.
