Is the US tempting Assui?
The NCAA has its eyes on the talent from Varese.
From the Prealpina edited by Giuseppe Sciascia. Many scout Ncaa spent in Masnago in the last few weeks. There consecration of Elisèe Assui it did not go unnoticed in the United States. Many more eyes of recruiters from American universities have fallen on the 19-year-old winger from Varese: his performance as a protagonist among the professionals of Serie A, which earned him a call-up with Luca Banchi’s National A team in the November window, further elevates his value for the NCAA championship still in youth mode. In addition to theUniversity of Virginiawho last summer had offered him a two-year agreement whose total gross value was around 1.2 million dollars, also emissaries of the George Washington University they came to Varese to see “Big Eli” at work during training and matches. The main interest at the moment would come from the private university based in the capital of the United States, which could offer the product of the Varese Basketball academy an absolute leading role.
But other scouts stopped by to see Assui in action and the traffic is destined to increase in the coming months after each university becomes clear how many players it will have to replace next year due to transfer to another university. There is therefore a concrete possibility that the economic proposal from the United States in the summer of 2026 could double, exceeding one million gross dollars. The contractual conditions for Varese are the same as last year and will remain so until 2029: Assui will be able to exit the agreement for a “non-Nba” club (starting from the NCAA, but also valid for European clubs) paying a pre-set buyout of around 300 thousand euros.
To date, the attention of the red and white winger is totally dedicated to Kastritis’ team to confirm itself as the defensive cornerstone, the future prospects of visibility and earnings do not make the head of a boy who has repeatedly demonstrated maturity in his choices. Including that of staying in Varese in the summer of 2025: confirmation was not a given, but the field is showing an Assui with an even greater impact on the OJM economy. Will he be able to stay in summer 2026? Giving up certain amounts is not easy, but never say never. Especially if the red and white club manages to land in Europe through the main door of the Fiba Champions League and to prepare a competitive team to aim for the play-offs also at an international level. Then the call of his mentor Ioannis Kastritis could still have appeal.
