BIG EAST Teams Recruited Overseas Basketball Players
Universities signed international athletes with professional experience ahead of NCAA policy shifts.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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BIG EAST universities have integrated basketball recruits with professional experience from overseas leagues into their rosters. These athletes bring established performance records from competitive environments in Brazil, Italy, Israel, and Serbia.
Why it matters
The influx of international talent highlights current debates over NCAA eligibility, as the Protect College Sports Act seeks to restrict players with prior professional experience from obtaining scholarships.
New recruits include players like 7-foot-3 Luigi Suigo, who averaged 8.1 points per game, and Leonardo Marangon, who averaged 9.8 points in recent professional play. Other additions include Gabriel Landeira and Pedro Pastre, both standing 6-foot-6.
The players
Luigi Suigo
He is a 7-foot-3 basketball player who joined a BIG EAST roster after averaging 8.1 points per game for Mega Superbet.
Leonardo Marangon
He is an international recruit who previously played for UEB Gesteco Cividale with a scoring average of 9.8 points per game.
Theo Airhienbuwa
He is a basketball player who transitioned to the BIG EAST after averaging 14 points and 5.7 rebounds in the FIBA U20 European Championship.
Gabriel Landeira
He is a 6-foot-6 athlete who averaged 7.1 points and 2.7 assists per game for Club Athletico Paulistano in Brazil.
Pedro Pastre
He is a 6-foot-6 recruit who averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 assists per game while competing in the Brazilian NBB.
The details
Coaches have implemented specific training programs to help these international recruits adapt to the increased speed and physicality of American college basketball. These players were previously active in top-tier foreign leagues, such as the Brazilian NBB and the Israeli Basketball Premier League.
Timeline
Gabriel Landeira competed in Brazil's NBB league during the 2025 season.
The BIG EAST Media Day was held on October 1, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This recruitment surge underscores an escalating trend of international talent acquisition that may soon be disrupted by the Protect College Sports Act. If signed into law, the legislation would fundamentally alter how conferences like the BIG EAST fill scholarship spots.
The addition of these experienced players significantly deepens the rotation for BIG EAST teams, impacting defensive metrics like blocks and steals. Fans can track how these recruits adjust to collegiate rules compared to their professional performance averages.
The takeaway
The rise of international recruitment in the BIG EAST shows how global basketball talent is reshaping the college landscape. Coaches and athletic programs must balance these high-level international acquisitions with looming legislative changes that could restrict such eligibility.
What happens next
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Protect College Sports Act in the near future.
Further reading
For more background on how conference roster rules are shifting, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Students flaunt their flyest 'fits on the first day of class - The Setonian.
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Should college teams be allowed to recruit players who have already played professionally overseas?
