One of the biggest storylines throughout college basketball has been the importance of frontcourt players in the transfer portal. Any big man with the slightest bit of value has been both coveted and, reportedly, highly compensated by teams trying to get them.Â
There are very few high-major level big men available for the 2026-27 season. One of them could be Luigi Suigo, a 7’3 center from Italy who played overseas at Mega Superbet this past year. He’s a true post big man who can defend the rim at a high level, and after the impact that fellow 7’3 center Aday Mara had at Michigan on its route to winning a national title, the potential that Suigo could have is clear at the right spot.
But where could that be?Â
Italian big man Luigi Suigo said if he withdraws from the NBA Draft it’s likely he would go to Villanova or BYU — those are the two schools on him the hardest
— Kevin Connelly (@KevinConnelly24) May 13, 2026
According to Luigi himself, if he were to choose between college basketball and the NBA, his options would be BYU and Villanova. Both teams could use the big man, but does one situation stand out over the other? Here’s a closer look at his options.
BYU Cougars
With Keba Keita gone and multiple backup bigs failing to have an impact (and transferring as a result), the Cougars are in a clear position to find an impact center. The current options include TCU big man Adam Stewart, former Clemson forward Jake Wahlin, and Khadim Mboup, who averaged 2.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg as a freshman this past season.
On paper, Suigo would start at BYU and play alongside No. 1 overall freshman prospect Bruce Branch III. This would be an NCAA Tournament caliber roster and finish in the top-half of the Big 12, but even with the Italian center, they’re due for a drop-off after losing AJ Dybantsa.
Villanova Wildcats
The Wildcats quietly had one of the best centers in college basketball last year in Duke Brennan, who averaged 12.4 ppg and 10.3 rpg in his lone year with the program. He’s gone, but the team not only brought back Matthew Hodge (9.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg) but also landed two transfer forwards, Devin Royal and Kwame Evans.
While Evans could play some center, the team does have redshirt freshman Nico Onyekwere; there’s still a massive need for an impact center to compete in the Big East. The rest of the rotation is already in good shape, with Luigo being the last key pickup to solidify them as the No. 3 team in the conference next year, with potentially even more upside.
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