BasketballNcaa

Maikcol Perez: “First I make my mark at Baylor, then in the NBA”

Paolo Mutarelli
Maikcol-Perez-Baylor

The 2024 U17 World Cup had already made it clear: Maikcol Perez has the talent to make an impact in America. The decision he made this summer seemed perfect – joining a prestigious program like Baylor, known for developing NBA talent while teaching real basketball, in one of the deepest and most competitive conferences in Division I, the Big 12. On top of that, the Bears were starting from scratch, with no returning players from the previous season. In short, the ground was fertile for high expectations.

However, summer dreams don’t always turn into reality, and the 2025–26 NCAA season has proven to be a bit bitter for several top Italian prospects. The ACL injury suffered in early September by the former Bassano standout was a clear signal. Still, Perez has not given up. With great spirit, he told us about every step of his rehabilitation, the plan he has in mind to reach the NBA, and the wonderful impact Baylor has had on his life.

Let’s start with a difficult question: how are you doing?

At the beginning it was a bit difficult, but I’d say “different” more than anything else. I had always played in Italy; in America I had only been for visits or training. I had already experienced it, but as a tourist. Moving here and living here is another thing. I arrived this summer—before that I had visited the team in Germany, where they were playing a tournament (the Universiade). Then we all came together for summer workouts. The experience I had in Bassano helped me a lot; I was used to being far from home. I adapted right away and I’m feeling great here.

Together with Gabriel Pozzato, you won the “unluckiest player of the year” award. What happened?

It happened during practice, toward the end. I was about to finish at the rim on a drive, and on the third step I made a fake on the second step with a push from behind. My body went forward while my knee stayed back, so it hyperextended. I felt a sharp pain, fell to the ground, and then went through all the medical exams. I knew I was injured, and that’s when the whole process started—surgery and recovery. Honestly, I’m really proud of where I am now. I’m doing better than expected, beyond predictions and expectations, and I’m even surprising the doctors. That gives me a lot of confidence, because I’m using this time to work on all the aspects I wanted to improve before but never had the time to. Now I can focus on myself. My goal is to come back in better condition than I was before the injury—whether that’s this year or next year. I don’t want to force my return this season and risk causing another injury. I want to take all the time I need to improve, even in areas outside of basketball. I’m discovering other parts of myself, and physically I’m improving a lot. I’m trying to take the best out of a very bad situation. I think the way you bounce back from something like this shows the difference between players.

Maickol Perez

Where are you right now in your rehabilitation?

After morning classes and lunch, I dedicate myself to therapy. First knee rehab with the physical therapist, then weight training with the strength coach. Since I can’t run yet, I’m focusing a lot on stationary ball-handling and stationary shooting. I’m paying attention to details and taking care of my body—lots of weight training and a lot of therapy.

Son of a baseball player: instead of a ball, your father gave you a bat. How did that go?

My father is from the Dominican Republic and baseball has always been in his blood. He always played it, so the first sport I tried was baseball. I remember that when I was very young, I got hit pretty hard in the knee by a ball and started crying. From that moment on, I didn’t even want to touch a baseball anymore. So my father took me to try basketball. At first, to be honest, I didn’t like it very much, but little by little, practice after practice, I started to like it more and more—and from then on, I never stopped.

You played three years at Orange Bassano. What was the move from Latina to Veneto like, ending with the U17 title and a dominant final (36 points, 18 rebounds)?

The years in Bassano were among the best years of my life, especially because of the people I met, both in basketball and outside of basketball. I think about all my classmates that I’m still in touch with today. It gave me so many life experiences, so they were truly beautiful years. I’ll remember them forever. Bassano also opened many doors for me in basketball—doors that eventually brought me to where I am today. In Bassano you’re put in a context where there’s only basketball. You live in a residence with all your teammates and go to school with them. Basketball is the main thing. I improved a lot simply because of the amount of basketball I lived every day—basketball was around me all the time.

It was also a great experience because of all the international tournaments. By raising the level of the opponents I played against, I kept improving. I also had the chance to play in prestigious tournaments that eventually brought me here. There’s also the bond. A few days ago the guys from Bassano were here in Dallas for a tournament, and it really meant a lot to me. Especially Brian Angeletti—when I arrived in Bassano, he was already there. I spent all three years with him, and with the other teammates who joined later. It was great to see faces I lived with in the same apartment for years.

Then you decided to cross the ocean. How long have you been following the NCAA?

Unlike others, I’ve always followed the NCAA. I’ve always been a fan because that’s where I wanted to get once I started taking basketball seriously. I always stayed informed and was always attracted by overseas basketball. I watched both the NBA and the NCAA. I was never really drawn to Europe or to Italy.

Cincinnati, Miami, and Nebraska were interested in you and you visited them. In the end, you chose Texas and Baylor without even visiting. Why?

Most of the interest came after my performances with the national team—starting with the U16 European Championship, but especially after the U17 World Cup, after making the All-Tournament Team and winning the silver medal. From there, recruitment really started, with a lot of schools involved. Last year was the first time I seriously dealt with the college aspect. I made my first visit when I went to Nebraska with my agents, who were being contacted every day by different colleges.

I chose Baylor because it fascinated me for many reasons. I had heard great stories from people who attended Baylor, and I was especially impressed by Coach Drew—his culture, the way he has sent so many prospects to the NBA. Now that I’m here, I’m understanding his human greatness firsthand. People talk a lot about NIL lately and the opportunities it offers, but for me it was never a goal—it’s something that runs parallel to basketball. I always looked for a relationship with the coach that goes beyond basketball, a good place to grow, a place that could take me to the NBA. I recognized all of that in Coach Drew and Baylor from the very first moment he called me. I don’t regret my choice at all. Everything I imagined is becoming reality. I love the environment and the warmth in Waco.

At Nebraska there’s another player from Lazio like you, Luca Virgilio. How was the visit with him?

I really enjoyed going there. A great relationship developed with Luca, even during the visit. He’s an amazing person, very professional throughout the whole recruiting process. I really liked the campus. But in this case, there’s no right or wrong choice. Sometimes you think, “This is a good program, this one isn’t,” but this time I had two great programs in front of me. I made my choice for reasons that go beyond basketball—not against Nebraska, but in favor of Baylor. I also thank Coach Hoiberg, who was always very welcoming with me. I simply made the choice I believed was right at the time, and today it’s proving to be even more right. I don’t know what it would have been like at Nebraska, but I’m proud and confident that I made the right decision by choosing Baylor.

The team is completely new, with no returning players. What did it look like, and what role did you expect to have before the injury?

My role this year was supposed to be very important. The team was new and very young. There’s me, Toundè (Yessofou), who’s a freshman, Isaac (Williams IV), who’s a sophomore, and many other freshmen. I would have been a big help. During recruiting, Coach Drew pushed hard to get me, and on the court I immediately felt a great connection with the team. Even in practice I was playing a lot and playing very well. I was confident I could have had a really strong season with the team. I felt very comfortable with the way Coach Drew orchestrates the offense and defense. It’s a style of play that fits me well, where I can really stand out. That’s how it was in practice—I felt great playing. Then, unfortunately, there were many injuries.

Scott Drew is always on the bench. What kind of coach is he?

The first few weeks were a great experience—learning and studying his system for the first time. I really like Coach Drew because he thinks not only about the basketball player, but above all about the person. Basketball comes second. He really cares about his players as people living in today’s world. He cares about families, about the Waco community. I like him as a person because he truly cares. Faith is very important to him—it’s at the center of Baylor’s culture and the whole program. He’s not someone who disappears once practice is over. He often invited me to dinner at his house, included me in activities outside of basketball, and when my family came to visit, he was incredibly kind. On the basketball side, he’s one of the best coaches in college basketball. There’s a lot of thought behind his defense, and he has a unique ability to work with his assistants. The coaching staff is elite—I think all of them could be head coaches elsewhere. The team’s success comes from a lot of work and preparation by the entire staff, especially Coach Drew with all the tactics he applies.

Known as one of the best defensive minds in the NCAA, and for developing NBA talent—did you choose Baylor mainly for this?

Absolutely. My final goal is the NBA, and I want to use college as the best path to get there. At Baylor I found everything I was looking for. It’s the perfect place for me, and the number of players now in the NBA proves it. VJ Edgecombe is a Rookie of the Year candidate in Philadelphia, Keyonte George is exploding in Utah, and I could name many others who are now key pieces on NBA rosters. Coach Drew creates a culture where every player has a plan. That’s what many prospects lack—someone with a clear project for them to make the jump to the NBA.

What are his practices like? What does he emphasize?

Defense is the foundation of everything. When you can defend anyone, you can’t be taken off the floor—that’s also what the NBA is looking for now. He prepares us mentally as well, teaching us to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term success. There’s a lot of mental work behind it. We also have Coach Melvin Hunt, who spent many years on NBA staffs (Lakers, Cavaliers, Denver). He gives us invaluable advice on how to be seen by NBA scouts. He knows exactly what they look for and prepares us the best way possible.

Who’s better: Cameron Carr or Toundè Yessofou?

That’s a tough question—they’re very different players. Toundè is stronger defensively and physically, a true two-way player. Offensively, in terms of pure talent, he’s one of the best in the country. Together with Cameron, they form one of the best scoring duos in the nation. Cameron is top-10 nationally in scoring, and Toundè is right behind him. Offensively they’re incredible, but they also complement each other defensively—Toundè with physicality, Cameron with athleticism.

How have these first months of the season gone?

They’ve been great. Even though the team is new, it looks like we’ve been playing together for a long time. We’ve built strong relationships, and there’s joy in being together off the court, which makes the difference on the court. We’ve been very unlucky with injuries—our center got hurt, I got hurt, and our other point guard got injured before the St. John’s game. Three key players were out. Still, I’m proud of how we’re handling it. It shows how Coach Drew and the staff manage adversity.

You’ve always been strong attacking the basket, with good ball-handling and footwork. Is shooting the last step to becoming complete?

I was already working on pace and adjusting to playing much faster. The game here is more vertical and physical. There are unbelievable athletes in America, and the physical impact can be intimidating. I was adapting well and felt I could have had a great season. Now I’m preparing to make that happen next year, fixing small weaknesses and becoming complete at every level—using what I learned in Europe and applying it at a higher pace and athletic level.

At the World Cup in Turkey you played against Cameron Boozer, Koa Peat, and AJ Dybantsa. Who impressed you the most?

The World Cup was one of the best experiences of my life. I wasn’t with eleven random people, but with eleven brothers I’ve known for years. We achieved a historic result for Italian basketball. Playing against Team USA was an incredible opportunity. I had a great performance, and when you play well against them, opportunities open up. That game gave me confidence and confirmed that I belong at that level.

You stayed in touch with the 2007 Olimpia Milano players. Are you following Achille Lonati?

Yes, we stay in touch. But everyone has to find their own path. Many say they want to go to the NCAA just for the appeal of America, but you have to choose what’s right for you. I’m proud if I can be an example and help other Italian players understand how this world works.

How long do you plan to stay in college?

My final goal has always been the NBA. As soon as I have the opportunity, I’ll go. Baylor is the best platform for me. Coach Drew gives me confidence because I’ve seen many players like me succeed here. If they did it, I can do it too.

 

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