Luigi Suigo says Kentucky Basketball backed off due to NBA Draft risk
TL;DR
Luigi Suigo revealed that Kentucky Basketball has backed off recruiting him due to concerns over his NBA Draft status. He is now likely to choose between BYU or Villanova.
Key points
- Luigi Suigo is a 7-foot-3 center from the Serbian League.
- Kentucky Basketball has backed off recruiting him due to NBA Draft concerns.
- Suigo is likely to choose between BYU or Villanova.
KLAIPEDA, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 30: Luigi Suigo of Italy looks on during the FIBA World Cup Group D Qualifiers between Lithuania and Italy at Svyturio Arena on November 30, 2025 in Klaipeda, Lithuania. (Photo by Rokas Lukosevicius/FIBA via Getty Images) | FIBA via Getty Images
The Kentucky Wildcats coaching staff has been very open as to how they’ll fill out the roster this offseason, whether it be high school recruits, college transfers, or even international prospects.
The Wildcats have had their eye on 7-foot-3 center Luigi Suigo from the Serbian League, but it’s unlikely the Mega Superbet big man ends up in Lexington, as he told reporters at the NBA Combine that he’ll likely end up at BYU or Villanova.
Suigo said that multiple schools, including the Wildcats, didn’t want to risk recruiting him if he stayed in the NBA Draft. A couple of other big-time schools made the same decision, including Duke, North Carolina, and St. John’s, per Kevin Connelly at Sports Illustrated.
Villanova has been heavily involved in Suigo’s recruitment for a while now as he’s headed into the draft process.
Jonathan Givony of Draft Express posted on Tuesday that Suigo “appears to be Villanova-bound.”
He’s not a lock to head to college quite yet. Suigo told Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated that his top priority was the NBA, but he’d need to be in the top 20 to not go to college in the upcoming year.
The Wildcats’ coaching staff will have a greater focus during this week’s combine, as Malachi Moreno is generating some first-round buzz. Although he’s not been scrimmaging, the Kentucky native could still be a late first-round pick.
Q&A
Why did Kentucky Basketball stop recruiting Luigi Suigo?
Kentucky Basketball backed off recruiting Luigi Suigo due to concerns about his potential decision to stay in the NBA Draft.
Which schools are interested in Luigi Suigo?
Luigi Suigo mentioned that he is likely to end up at BYU or Villanova, with interest also from schools like Duke and North Carolina.
What is Luigi Suigo's height and position?
Luigi Suigo is a 7-foot-3 center currently playing in the Serbian League.
