ROME — After a brief press conference with Villanova's head coach Kevin Willard, the spotlight shifted to freshman center Luigi Suigo, who stands tall at 7-foot-3, much taller than his coach. This marked Suigo’s return to Italy, a significant moment for the young athlete who moved to Villanova just a few months ago, during summer, as a high-potential recruit. Yet, while he is back in Italy, he is quick to clarify: "It’s not my home home, but still my country,” he stated, emphasizing the distinction between his roots and current residence.
Suigo hails from Tradate, located northwest of Milan in the Lombardy region, which is approximately 400 miles away from Rome where Villanova is set to begin its 2026-27 season with the first game against Notre Dame. The match is scheduled for Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Philadelphia time and will be broadcast on Fox 29.
Despite the distance from his hometown, Suigo radiated comfort and familiarity as he conversed fluently in both Italian and English, creating a bridge between his two worlds. "The best feeling is understanding what people are saying without my teammates knowing,” he remarked, pointing out a playful advantage he holds while communicating in his native language.
While many of his teammates may not have taken the time to learn Italian, Suigo has already been guiding them on local customs. Senior guard Jake Fiegen shared an anecdote about the rookie’s humorous advice regarding dining etiquette: "At the hotel, he was instructing us not to put meatballs with our pasta. Just American things that probably aren’t custom here.”
Many Villanova supporters have made the trip to Rome to witness the season opener. This weekend is also significant due to events surrounding a visit from Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a Villanova alumnus, who is expected to meet with thousands of people on Saturday. Suigo holds a unique perspective on this occasion, stating, "Me, personally, I’m not a religious guy, so it’s not something crazy, but still he’s a Villanova alumni and, I mean, he’s the pope. He’s pretty important either if you’re religious or not.”
However, the audience Suigo is most keen to impress is his family and friends, including his father, Massimo, who will be watching him play in his collegiate debut. The significance of this game is amplified not only by Suigo's potential but also by the high expectations that have accompanied him since his recruitment. Few recruits have drawn this much attention at Villanova, comparable to stars like Jalen Brunson. Suigo played professionally in Serbia last year and was regarded as a possible late-first-round pick in the last NBA draft, earning the nickname "The Italian Wemby" for his skill set reminiscent of NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama.
Despite such accolades, Suigo's journey is still in its early stages, and Willard has been candid about the adjustment period he faces as a freshman. The coach noted after an exhibition game that Suigo is a work in progress, underscoring the differences in pace and style from European basketball to the American game. "He’s getting there. Every day he’s getting better. He’s watching film. It’s a big difference and big adjustment from playing where he played last year to now, the speed of the American game. He’s starting to understand the defensive concepts, the offensive concepts, but for a 19-year-old freshman, he’s doing fantastic,” Willard said.
Among the areas where Suigo is expected to grow is in his physicality during games. Willard pointed out, "He has great hands, can shoot the basketball, is a very smart basketball player, but just understanding he’s still 7-3, 280 pounds and how to use his body to the best of his ability.” Such insights highlight the challenges that come with his size, as adapting to the physical nature of college basketball is crucial for his success.
Fiegen, a transfer from Cornell with considerable experience in Division I basketball, praised Suigo for his composure as he navigates the complexities of transitioning to American college basketball. "I thought Suigo was handling the transition and all of the attention that came with his arrival with a lot of poise,” he said, reflecting the confidence his teammates have in him.
As Willard prepares his team for the challenges ahead, he emphasizes the importance of ensuring Suigo feels comfortable and ready to perform. "I think more than anything, being back home in Italy, having his family and friends here, this is a big moment for him. So making sure he’s comfortable and he’s ready to play is the biggest thing,” Willard stated, recognizing the emotional weight of Suigo's debut.
Notably, Villanova will be without backup center Nico Onyekwere, who could not join the team in Rome due to visa issues. Meanwhile, power forward Kwame Evans Jr. is anticipated to play on Sunday after missing the exhibition games to recover from an offseason leg injury. The men’s team has one more practice scheduled for Friday, but it will be closed to media.
As the excitement builds for the season opener against Notre Dame, all eyes will be on Luigi Suigo as he steps onto the court not only to fulfill his dreams but also to reconnect with his cultural roots in the land of his birth. The unique blend of personal significance and competitive ambition sets the stage for a memorable debut, one that could herald the start of a promising collegiate career.
Source: Inquirer.com