Villanova is betting that 7-foot-3 Italian freshman Luigi Suigo can turn his size and shooting touch into a major college impact—and potentially an NBA lottery pick. Suigo rejects the “Italian Wemby” label, saying he has a long way to go and sees his game as closer to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s. His biggest challenge this season: adjusting to the faster pace of American basketball.

By the Numbers
  • Suigo is 7-foot-3 and 19 years old.
  • He averaged 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18.3 minutes across 26 games in Serbia last season.
  • He withdrew from the 2026 NBA draft after a sprained ankle; team feedback suggested he could be a late first-round pick.
Yes, But

Suigo brings rare size, touch and international experience, but Villanova coach Kevin Willard says adapting to the speed of the U.S. game is the central hurdle. Suigo believes a season at Villanova can help him improve his draft standing and become a lottery pick.

State of Play
  • Suigo is set to make his Villanova debut against Notre Dame in Rome.
  • The Wildcats are aiming for a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance as they work to regain their championship-level form.
What's Next

Suigo’s debut offers an early look at how his skills translate to college basketball. His progress adjusting to the pace will help determine whether Villanova can develop him into a high-level prospect in one season.

Bottom Line

The “Italian Wemby” nickname is hype, not a claim from Suigo. Villanova’s real opportunity is to help a highly unusual prospect turn his physical tools into a polished game—and raise both his NBA stock and the Wildcats’ ceiling.