Arizona added another international player to its 2020-21 roster after French forward Daniel Batcho told ESPN early Thursday morning that he's committed to the Wildcats.
Considered to be one of the top European prospects entering the college ranks next season, the 6-foot-10-inch, 220-pound Batcho adds much-needed depth to an Arizona frontcourt that includes Nevada transfer Jordan Brown, Ira Lee and Christian Koloko.
"I had a good connection with the coaching staff," Batcho told ESPN. "They really understood my priorities and showed me how I could reach my goals at the university."
In 2018, Batcho tore his ACL in the quarterfinal round of the U16 European Championship Tournament, which sidelined him for the entire 2018-19 season. After rehabbing and working his way back into playing games for CFBB Paris U18, Batcho received MVP honors at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Belgrade and tallied 24 points and 15 rebounds in a championship win over Partizan.
According to @DraftExpress, Arizona now has two ANGT MVPs in Daniel Batcho + Kerr Kriisa. I remember watching Batcho as a 15-year-old at the U16s playing alongside Killian Hayes/Theo Maledon. Always intrigued with his tools, mobility, and budding skill. Big news for the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/05dZrbqcbc
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 23, 2020
Batcho becomes the third international to commit to Arizona, joining Haitian-Canadian wing Bennedict Mathurin and Estonian guard Kerr Kriisa, who committed to UA last week. The Wildcats are now up to 11 scholarship players and have two spots open for 2020-21.
Here are highlights of Batcho's double-double performance against Partizan in the ANGT Belgrade championship, courtesy of EuroLeague Basketball:
Photos: Images from the Arizona Wildcats 2019-2020 season
University of Arizona vs Arizona State
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Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) battles his way through Arizona State guard Remy Martin (1) on his way to the basket in their Pac12 opener at McKale Center, January 4, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Oregon
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Arizona forward Jake DesJardins (55), left, and center Christian Koloko (35) can't believe the Wildcats didn't get the call during overtime against Oregon in their Pac-12 game at Matthew Knight Arena, January 9, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State forward Kylor Kelley (24) more of Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) than the ball, picking up a foul late in the second half of their Pac-12 game at Gil Coliseum, January 12, 2020.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) gets a hand on the ball during Arizona guard Nico Mannion's (1) drive and stops his run to the bucket on a controversial no-call in their Pac-12 game at Gil Coliseum, January 12, 2020.
Arizona Wildcats vs Arizona State
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Arizona guard Josh Green (0) sits on the court after being stuffed on his last second game winner attempt as Arizona State players rush the court in the Sun Devils 66-65 Pac-12 win at the Desert Financial Arena, January 25, 2020 Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Wildcats vs Arizona State
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller and his bench think the out of bounds call should go their way, the game official disagrees, calling Sun Devil ball in the first half of their Pac-12 game at the Desert Financial Arena, January 25, 2020 Tempe, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona forward Stone Gettings (13) gets double teamed after getting the ball at the top of the key against USC in the first half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 6, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs USC
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Arizona guard Josh Green (0) swings from the rim after polishing off a fast break against USC in the first half in their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 6, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs UCLA
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UCLA guard David Singleton (34) crashes down on Arizona guard Josh Green (0) during a tangle for a loose ball in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs UCLA
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Arizona head coach Sean Miller makes his point to the Wildcat offense against UCLA in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs UCLA
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It's a hot night for Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) and the Wildcats against UCLA at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs UCLA
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Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (10) draws a bead on his man as he sets up to defend against UCLA in the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Oregon State
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Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle (3) throws an elbow in the face of Arizona guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (10) and picks up an ejection in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 20, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Oregon
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Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) takes a hand in the face from Oregon guard Will Richardson (0) during a scrum under the basket in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 22, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Nico Mannion
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion shovels an assist around Washington State center Volodymyr Markovetskyy in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, March 5, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Washington
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Arizona guard Dylan Smith (3) heads back to defend after draining a three from the corner against Washington in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, March 7, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Washington
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The Arizona starters huddle near mid-court just before tipoff against Washington at McKale Center, March 7, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Washington
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Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) gets a hand in the face from Washington forward Jaden McDaniels (0) trying for a put back in the first half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, March 7, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
University of Arizona vs Northern Arizona
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Arizona forward Ira Lee (11) out jumps Northern Arizona guard Cameron Shelton (20) to get to a rebound in the first half of their early season game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 6, 2019.
University of Arizona vs South Dakota State
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Arizona guard Dylan Smith (3) teeters near the line after coming up with a steal against South Dakota State in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of Arizona vs South Dakota State
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) goes up the lane through the entire South Dakota State defense for a dunk in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of Arizona vs South Dakota State
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Arizona guard Josh Green (0) skids out of bound into one of the game officials after failing to snare a loose ball against South Dakota State in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of Arizona vs Nebraska-Omaha
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Arizona forward Stone Gettings (13) sports a shiner and bright red eye as he sits out the game against Nebraska-Omaha in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., Dec. 11, 2019.
Nico Mannion
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Arizona guard Nico Mannion (1) loses the ball on his drive into a crowded lane against Gonzaga in the second half of their match-up between top 20 teams at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
University of Arizona vs Gonzaga
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The many faces of Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) during the Wildcats' game against Gonzaga at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
