From Chris Horne, The Sabre:
Class of 2017 forward Francesco Badocchi is at the University of Virginia on an official visit, a trip that begins the same day the 6’7” senior concluded a two-day official visit at the University of Illinois.
Badocchi, a native of Italy, attends Bishop Miege in Mission Viejo, Kansas. He averaged 13.9 points per game as a senior in 2016/2017, helping his team to a 22-3 overall record and second consecutive Division 4A state championship. Badocchi poured in 21 points on 13-of-19 shooting in the championship game victory on March 11.
Although the Wahoos signed 6’6” wing Marco Anthony last November and gained a pledge from Rutgers graduate transfer guard Nigel Johnson this spring, UVA still has three scholarships available for the 2017/2018. Coach Tony Bennett has seen three players leave the program since the season’s end, including perimeter players Marial Shayok and Darius Thompson, and post Jarred Reuter. Isaiah Wilkins, Jack Salt, Mamadi Diakite, and Jay Huff are the only scholarship post players on the roster at this point.
Based on what we know so far, Badocchi appears to be a player in the mold of Wilkins and former Virginia forwards Akil Mitchell and Darius Atkins.
