ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ added another international player to its 2020-21 roster after French forward Daniel Batcho told  early Thursday morning that he's committed to the Wildcats.Â
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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ frontcourt that includes Nevada transfer Jordan Brown, Ira Lee and Christian Koloko.Â
"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. Â
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According to , ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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.
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz)
Batcho becomes the third international to commit to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, 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.Â
Here are highlights of Batcho's double-double performance against Partizan in the ANGT Belgrade championship, courtesy of EuroLeague Basketball:Â
Photos: Images from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats 2019-2020 season
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Zeke Nnaji (22) battles his way through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State guard Remy Martin (1) on his way to the basket in their Pac12 opener at McKale Center, January 4, 2020.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
Oregon State forward Kylor Kelley (24) more of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
Oregon State guard Ethan Thompson (5) gets a hand on the ball during ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Josh Green (0) sits on the court after being stuffed on his last second game winner attempt as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State players rush the court in the Sun Devils 66-65 Pac-12 win at the Desert Financial Arena, January 25, 2020 Tempe, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Wildcats vs ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs USC
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs USC
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UCLA
UCLA guard David Singleton (34) crashes down on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UCLA
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UCLA
It's a hot night for ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Ira Lee (11) and the Wildcats against UCLA at McKale Center, February 8, 2020 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs UCLA
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon State
Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle (3) throws an elbow in the face of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Jemarl Baker Jr. (10) and picks up an ejection in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 20, 2020 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Oregon
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
Nico Mannion
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Washington
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Washington
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ starters huddle near mid-court just before tipoff against Washington at McKale Center, March 7, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Washington
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Northern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Ira Lee (11) out jumps Northern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ guard Cameron Shelton (20) to get to a rebound in the first half of their early season game at McKale Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Nov. 6, 2019.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs South Dakota State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs South Dakota State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs South Dakota State
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2019.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Nebraska-Omaha
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., Dec. 11, 2019.
Nico Mannion
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ vs Gonzaga
The many faces of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ forward Zeke Nnaji (22) during the Wildcats' game against Gonzaga at McKale Center, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., December 14, 2019.
Contact sports content producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter @justinesports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
