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Baylor Basketball

Four-Star Italian Forward Maikcol Perez Commits to Baylor

May 15, 2025
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Italian forward Maikcol Perez has committed to Baylor. He joins Tounde Yessoufou‍, Andre Iguodala II‍ and Ramon “Mayo” Soyoye in the 2025 recruiting class, which is moving toward a top-10 ranking in the nation.

The 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward played for Orange1 Bassano in Italy and averaged 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game during international play.

Perez shined over the summer in the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, posting 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the championship game against Team USA and was selected to the All-Tournament team.

In the Euro U16 Championship last year, he averaged 12.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists over the seven-game tournament, helping Italy to a second-place finish.

Perez will turn 18 on December 1, 2025, and is rated the No. 41 overall prospect and a four-star recruit in the On3 2025 rankings.

Why The Fit Looks Good

Perez will remind Baylor fans of Jeremy Sochan. He’s not as bouncy as Sochan, but he has similar traits coming to college. He’s a versatile defender with a 7-foot-0 wingspan. He has excellent basketball IQ, ball handling and playmaking skills. He could be a guy like Sochan, who Baylor uses to initiate offense in half-court sets. He is a good rebounder. The big question mark, like Sochan, is shooting. The theme continues of getting versatile, long, athletic players that will give the Bears a lot of options offensively and defensively.

Discussion from...

Four-Star Italian Forward Maikcol Perez Commits to Baylor

12,373 Views | 43 Replies | Last: 26 days ago by Quinton
GoodOleBaylorLine
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2:12p, 5/15/25
Know nothing about this kid, but 6'8 and 215 at 17. Love it.
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Levi Caraway
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2:21p, 5/15/25
Staff

Ashley dropped some hints about Perez weeks ago in the MBB Portal Thread. Give Premium a try today!
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Crawfoso1973
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2:27p, 5/15/25
I love versatile players like this who can do a little bit of everything to help the team win. What a great pickup for us!

I get Sochan vibes with his ball-handling and passing skills:

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Ewalker80
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2:37p, 5/15/25
We look to be a much more versatile and well-rounded team next year, better constructed to withstand some injuries. This looks to me like someone that is even more likely than Sochan to stay multiple years in college, but if not he obviously blew up. So much more depth in front court next year. Shouldn't need him to play early unless he just comes in and shows so much skill you can't keep him off the floor.
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Dukebear1
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2:41p, 5/15/25
We gonna be great in hoops!
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Ewalker80 • 2:48p, 5/15/25
Ewalker80 said:
We look to be a much more versatile and well-rounded team next year, better constructed to withstand some injuries. This looks to me like someone that is even more likely than Sochan to stay multiple years in college, but if not he obviously blew up. So much more depth in front court next year. Shouldn't need him to play early unless he just comes in and shows so much skill you can't keep him off the floor.
This kid looks like a skilled and polished player who will demand immediate playing time, even with our other experienced players in the froncourt. I am excited about our talent and depth. Our depth will force guys to compete for minutes and roles. Iron sharpens iron.
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Ewalker80
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4:07p, 5/15/25
My guess is that they are envisioning him as basically the Rataj understudy. If all goes well he could play backup minutes at the 4, and if he exceeds expectations maybe even play more. Major theme of this team is versatility.
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BearFan33
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4:28p, 5/15/25
Wow what a way to round out the class

Maybe a little thin for the physicality of the B12 but definitely skilled with a high motor. I think he gets playing time this year.
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BearlyBeloved
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6:09p, 5/15/25
So Italy gets an American pope, and Baylor gets an Italian.

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TXBEAR_bf
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9:21p, 5/15/25
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/nebraska-hoops-host-italian-point-091329797.html
Bear living in the woods of Bend Oregon
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TXBEAR_bf
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9:28p, 5/15/25
Some good highlights on content on this link. Seems like a solid get, especially this late. Hopefully he sticks for a couple of years. He will be relieved to know the is an Olive Garden in Waco.

https://www.on3.com/news/italian-point-forward-maikcol-perez-commits-to-baylor/
Bear living in the woods of Bend Oregon
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bear2be2
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10:54p, 5/15/25
This shouldn't be any surprise to anyone, but I love this pickup. And frankly, I love what Scott Drew has done with this roster, in general, after losing every player from last season.

I've been very vocal in my displeasure with the way we've built our rosters the past three seasons, but I love the apparent reset we're attempting this offseason.

Obviously, with the transfer portal, there are no guarantees. But no one can say that we're not trying to add developmental pieces in this class -- both through the portal and in this high school class. This is the type of group that could grow into a championship core over time. And we've added enough high-floor/high-ceiling one-year stopgaps to keep us competitive in the meantime.

Scott Drew gets an A+ from me for this offseason. I'm as excited for the 2025-26 season as I've been for any group since the 2021-22 squad. This team may not have that team's ceiling. But I'm really looking forward to finding out.
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TXBEAR_bf
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In reply to bear2be2 • 11:46p, 5/15/25
100 percent agree. Obviously have to see how chemistry plays out, but this has an 2023-24 Iowa State roster build. A lot of really good players, but not one super star. I like the potential chemistry and scoring options. My only concern is having 3-4 guys that can be 35 percent plus from three.
Bear living in the woods of Bend Oregon
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:27a, 5/16/25
I agree with your A+ grade, the only concern I have is at guard. This team is built the opposite of our past several teams where we had multiple undersized guards and now we are thin in the backcourt. I do think the versatility of our team will allow us to play bigger lineups with bigger wings like Skillings able to play guard. Perez looks like a player who can also initiate offense which will help us when going with bigger lineups. On paper, I love the defensive and offensive versatility of this team. Now it's on the coaching staff to get them to gel.
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 8:16a, 5/16/25
Crawfoso1973 said:
I agree with your A+ grade, the only concern I have is at guard. This team is built the opposite of our past several teams where we had multiple undersized guards and now we are thin in the backcourt. I do think the versatility of our team will allow us to play bigger lineups with bigger wings like Skillings able to play guard. Perez looks like a player who can also initiate offense which will help us when going with bigger lineups. On paper, I love the defensive and offensive versatility of this team. Now it's on the coaching staff to get them to gel.

Drew is definitely addressing the front court depth issues as well as the overall height and length issues we had last season. I would also feel better however if there was at least one serviceable true point guard on the roster which it appears isn't going to happen. There are possible work arounds, but I hope this doesn't become one of those things that comes back to bite us.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 8:36a, 5/16/25
Yeah, I hope we are not over-correcting in the other direction.
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BluesBear
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9:28a, 5/16/25
the second highlight in the reel is hilarious.....one word comes to mind after watching the video - - - "scrappy"....he is gonna be phenomenal when his time at Baylor is over...
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GruntTuff
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11:44a, 5/16/25
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
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GoodOleBaylorLine
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In reply to GruntTuff • 4:29p, 5/16/25
GruntTuff said:

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.

You're assuming he eats it and doesn't just laugh.
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GoodOleBaylorLine
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In reply to TXBEAR_bf • 4:32p, 5/16/25
TXBEAR_bf said:
100 percent agree. Obviously have to see how chemistry plays out, but this has an 2023-24 Iowa State roster build. A lot of really good players, but not one super star. I like the potential chemistry and scoring options. My only concern is having 3-4 guys that can be 35 percent plus from three.

Hoping this is Yessoufou
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GruntTuff
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In reply to GoodOleBaylorLine • 4:37p, 5/16/25
GoodOleBaylorLine said:
GruntTuff said:

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.

You're assuming he eats it and doesn't just laugh.
If he's hungry enough, he'll laugh, eat......and then hurl.

He'll learn to like Central Texas fare, but what he'll really miss is the gelato.
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GruntTuff
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4:46p, 5/16/25
His father is from the Dominican Republic and played baseball in the US and Italy. He grew up in Rome but moved to Bassano (near Venice) when he was 14 to play high level basketball. I hope the link can be opened, but if not, Google Bassano. Just a small difference between Bassano and Waco.


https://adayinbassano.com/en/
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whitetrash
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In reply to GruntTuff • 7:15a, 5/17/25
GruntTuff said:
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
Let's just hope he doesn't get caught up in the Moroso/diCampli Castellammarese War.
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Tempus Edax Rerum
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In reply to GruntTuff • 10:00a, 5/17/25
GruntTuff said:
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
Maybe I eat at the wrong places, but Italian food in Italy isn't all that great, imo. Way over rated.
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Adriacus Peratuun
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In reply to Tempus Edax Rerum • 11:44a, 5/17/25
Tempus Edax Rerum said:
GruntTuff said:
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
Maybe I eat at the wrong places, but Italian food in Italy isn't all that great, imo. Way over rated.
Almost as wrong about that item as you are with all of your extremist political rants.

Almost.
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Bear2014
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In reply to BearlyBeloved • 1:40p, 5/17/25
BearlyBeloved said:
So Italy gets an American pope, and Baylor gets an Italian.

its what i call a fair trade!
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bear2be2
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In reply to GoodOleBaylorLine • 12:07a, 5/18/25
GoodOleBaylorLine said:
TXBEAR_bf said:
100 percent agree. Obviously have to see how chemistry plays out, but this has an 2023-24 Iowa State roster build. A lot of really good players, but not one super star. I like the potential chemistry and scoring options. My only concern is having 3-4 guys that can be 35 percent plus from three.

Hoping this is Yessoufou
I'm hoping it's not. I want Yessoufou to be third or fourth in field goal attempts on this team behind Agbim and Rataj for sure and maybe White as well.

One of our biggest problems the last three years is we've relied WAAAAAYYYYYY too heavily on freshmen on the offensive end -- and all but Edgecombe were overexposed badly.

I want Yessoufou to play a prominent role, obviously, but I want the ball in our veteran scorer's hands in crunch time.

Unless Yessoufou is Kevin Durant good, and the odds of that are virtually nill, I want him being a secondary or tertiary scorer on next year's team. I want his role to be somewhere between Castle's for UConn and Suggs for Gonzaga. Anything beyond that and he'll likely be exposed beyond the point of his competency/efficiency -- as George and Walter were before him.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:52a, 5/18/25
I agree, I think Yessafou I think is a much different style of player than George and Walter who were high-volume shooting guards. He will not have that role in our offense. I think Obi and Rataj will be our leading scorers, with Skillings and Yessafou mixed in.
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Quinton
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In reply to bear2be2 • 12:29p, 5/18/25
Doubt it happens. Tounde is a physical energy guy with good skills that need a little polish. He should be our third or fourth leading scorer (if Skillings puts it all together). Now Tounde could 100 be our best defender, he looked years ahead physically of the other guys in the McDonald game.

This is a coaching/scouting check year. Tools are there to have a strong team. Credit to them for piecing that together (still think a pg is badly needed but..). If the staff isn't as good as this site claims, they could struggle.
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EvilTroyAndAbed
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In reply to Tempus Edax Rerum • 5:04p, 5/18/25
Tempus Edax Rerum said:
GruntTuff said:
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
Maybe I eat at the wrong places, but Italian food in Italy isn't all that great, imo. Way over rated.
You're right.

You eat at the wrong places.
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BearBall
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In reply to Tempus Edax Rerum • 10:09a, 5/19/25
Tempus Edax Rerum said:
GruntTuff said:
I think Drew got REALLY tired of being undersized and lacking in defense. He definitely addressed those problems.

Does Tweety have any eligibility left?

I live in Italy about 4 months each year. This guy is going to hurl the first time someone takes him to eat Italian food in Waco.
Maybe I eat at the wrong places, but Italian food in Italy isn't all that great, imo. Way over rated.
You must prefer the added chemicals in American Italian food.
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OsoCoreyell
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9:08p, 5/19/25
I call BS on his ranking.

Everyone knows Michelin only gives 3 stars max. How good can his pasta be?

Also, how can he really be Italian? I mean he needs both hands to talk with.
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Iron Claw
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10:06p, 5/23/25
How many will stay around for a second year? Continuity is so important. I'd like to see some of that.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Iron Claw • 4:29p, 5/24/25
I think all fans would love to go back to that. Unfortunately I see near 100% roster turnover every season until the system changes.
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Fre3dombear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 5:55p, 5/24/25
Crawfoso1973 said:
I think all fans would love to go back to that. Unfortunately I see near 100% roster turnover every season until the system changes.


Why doesnt houston have this problem?
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