Luigi Suigo Scouting Report: The 7’3″ Italian Center Who Chose Villanova Over the NBA Draft
Luigi Suigo is a 7’3″ center from Italy who entered the 2026 NBA draft, withdrew on the last day and enrolled at Villanova. He is 19, weighs close to 290 pounds and shoots with range, and he sits first on our consensus ranking of centers for the 2027 draft. This report covers where he came from, why he chose college, and what he has to prove in the Big East.
Luigi Suigo at a glance
| Born | 2007, Tradate, Italy |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| Height | 7’3″ (Villanova); some sources list 7’4″ |
| Weight | 289 lb (Villanova) |
| Standing reach | 9’6″ |
| Team | Villanova (Big East), freshman, No. 19 |
| Coach | Kevin Willard |
| Last club | Mega (Serbia, ABA League) |
| 2025-26 stats | 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 blocks in 26 ABA League games |
| NBA draft | Entered and withdrew in 2026; can enter again in 2027 |
| Database status | Listed at 7’3″ |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
Who Is Luigi Suigo?
Suigo was born in January 2007 in Tradate, in the province of Varese. He started in Varese’s youth program and joined Olimpia Milano’s junior team in 2022, where he won two Italian youth titles and appeared in two senior games, according to Wikipedia.
With Italy he won silver at the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 7.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and played at the U18 EuroBasket the same summer. He has since been called up to the senior national team for 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
One Season at Mega
In July 2025 Suigo left Milan for Mega, the Serbian club known for sending young big men to the NBA. In the ABA League he played 26 games and averaged 7.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in about 18 minutes, shooting 53.5% from the field, 27.1% from three and 64.7% at the line.
His best night was 23 points and 8 rebounds in the Radivoj Korac Cup final against Crvena zvezda in February 2026, a game Mega lost. The numbers describe a rotation player, not a star, but he was an 18-year-old center playing against grown professionals.
Why He Withdrew From the 2026 NBA Draft
Suigo declared for the draft in April 2026 and attended the combine. Projections had him between the late first round and the second: 27th at The Ringer and 39th at ESPN, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On 13 June, the deadline for international players, he pulled out and signed with Villanova. He told Eurohoops the move was “strictly to elevate my game” and that his goal is to be a top-10 pick. Illinois, Indiana and Purdue had also pursued him.
Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
What he does well
- Size. A 9’6″ standing reach, which lets him contest shots without leaving the floor.
- Shooting touch. Babcock Hoops highlights his pick-and-pop jump shot and soft hands. Suigo describes himself as a stretch five.
- Rim protection. A block a game in 18 minutes against professionals.
- Feel. Scouts credit his passing and his understanding of where to be.
What holds him back
- Defending in space. Lateral quickness is the main concern. Babcock Hoops sees him as best suited to drop coverage.
- The shot is not proven yet. 27.1% from three and 64.7% at the line are projection numbers, not results.
- Rebounding. 5.1 rebounds a game is low for his size.
- Ball handling. He has said himself that it needs work.
Is Luigi Suigo the Italian Wembanyama?
The label follows him around, including in the title of the FIBA video above. It is fair on height and unfair on everything else. Wembanyama is a perimeter player in a center’s body. Suigo is a true center whose appeal is touch and size: a big man who can shoot and protect the rim from a set position.
That is still a valuable NBA player. Centers who are 7’3″ and can make a three are rare, and teams will wait for one. The honest comparison is not Wembanyama; it is the group of shooting 7-footers who anchor a defense in drop coverage and space the floor on offense.
What to Watch at Villanova
Kevin Willard has said Suigo wants to be sure he will play when he is drafted, and the Inquirer expects him to start at center. He is widely expected to stay one season.
- Three-point and free-throw percentage. If both rise, he will be in the lottery conversation.
- Defensive rebounding. The Big East will test whether he can finish possessions.
- Fouls and foot speed. How he holds up when guards attack him in the pick and roll.
Early 2027 mock drafts place him between 10th and 24th. He is the only center in the first round of all six we tracked: see our 2027 NBA draft center rankings.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Luigi Suigo?
Villanova lists him at 7’3″ and 289 pounds. Some scouting sites list 7’4″. His standing reach has been measured at 9’6″.
Why did Luigi Suigo withdraw from the 2026 NBA draft?
He was projected between the late first round and the second round. He withdrew at the international deadline on 13 June 2026, signed with Villanova and has said he wants to raise his game and become a top-10 pick.
When can Luigi Suigo be drafted?
He can enter the 2027 NBA draft. He is widely expected to leave Villanova after one season.
Where is Luigi Suigo from?
Tradate, in the province of Varese in northern Italy. He came through the youth programs of Varese and Olimpia Milano before a season with Mega in Serbia.
Luigi Suigo in our database
Suigo is one of twelve Division I players listed at 7’3″ or taller this season. He is in our database with every other young 7-footer we track.
Sources: Villanova Athletics, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sports Illustrated, Eurohoops, Babcock Hoops, NBADraft.net and Wikipedia. Game-by-game details from his season at Mega come from Wikipedia. Last checked 9 October 2026.