Arizona Marvelous Ideas: French big man Daniel Batcho signs with Arizona Wildcats

FIBA

The Arizona Wildcats have struck for another international prospect, this time signing 6-foot-10 forward Daniel Batcho. ESPN considers him the top international big man to go the college route.

The 2020 prospect also had offers from ASU, Creighton, Miami, and Virginia Tech.

Batcho averaged 14.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game with CFBB Paris in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, earning MVP honors.

Here’s what ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote about him: “At 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, Batcho is a physical player and excellent rebounder who is able to play both power forward and center. He does most of his damage around the basket, where he embraces contact and has a soft touch and reliable hands that allow him to catch everything thrown his way. His team in France ran quite a bit of offense through him, as he is a good passer and decision-maker for a big man.”

Batcho joins an Arizona frontcourt that includes Jordan Brown, Christian Koloko, and Ira Lee. None of them were starters last season, so lots of playing time is up for grabs.

The Wildcats still have two more scholarships available. They recently offered 6-foot-8 Turkish forward Tibet Gorener, an excellent shooter.

He would be the fourth international player in Arizona’s 2020 class, joining Batcho (France), Kerr Kriisa (Estonia) and Bennedict Mathurin (Canada).