Courtesy of GoBonnies.com
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Achille Lonati, a 6-5 guard out of the famed Olimpia Milano club in Italy, has signed a letter-of-intent to join the St. Bonaventure University men’s basketball team for the 2025-26 season.
Lonati, who made his EuroLeague debut for Milano under legendary coach Ettore Messina this season, is one of the most accomplished club and national team players of his generation in Italy.
Lonati averaged 15.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds at the recent Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Belgrade, Serbia.
Lonati, 18, made a significant impact for the U-17 Italian National Team at the 2024 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Turkey, averaging 12.7 points, two rebounds and 2.2 assists in playing a pivotal role in Italy’s silver medal run. Lonati shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from three-point range in the FIBA event.
In the gold medal finals against a Team USA that included No. 1 prospect BYU-bound AJ Dybantsa and the Duke-bound Boozer twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer, Lonati had a team-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting – including 6-for-6 on three-pointers.
Lonati had 20-point games against Turkey and Australia during the FIBA World Cup – including 11 points in overtime of the quarterfinal victory over Australia.
Lonati averaged 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 23.3 minutes per game for Milan this season. His national team success also included a silver medal with the U-16 Italian National Team at the 2023 European Championships.
What they’re saying about Achille Lonati
Mark Schmidt, St. Bonaventure Head Men’s Basketball Coach
“Achille brings outstanding shooting, playmaking, an ability to finish at the rim with either hand and an unselfish mindset to our program. He is able to get his shot in a variety of ways, possesses deep range and that gives us the opportunity to be creative with Achille on the offensive end. He has played for outstanding coaches, with great teammates and against tough competition in Europe and we expect that he’ll eventually become an impact player in the Atlantic 10 Conference. We want Bonnies who love the game, value the work necessary on the court and in the classroom and Achille is all about those attributes.”
Adrian Wojnarowski, St. Bonaventure Men’s Basketball General Manager
“We are thrilled to welcome Achille and his family to St. Bonaventure University. He is among the most accomplished young guards in Europe and a player that we believe has been well-prepared to become a key member of our program. Achille has shown a penchant for big-game performances in clutch moments with the Italian national teams and Olimpia Milano, but it is his consistency of work, preparation and poise that has us especially excited about his future. We are working to recruit players from successful, winning programs with outstanding culture and Achille has been a beneficiary of his time with Olimpia Milano under legendary coach and executive Ettore Messina. Also, Achille’s representative, Andrea Grossi of Wasserman, was an exemplary partner in the recruiting process. We are eager to extend our recruiting imprint into Europe and Achille represents an exciting first step for Bonnies basketball.”
Achille Lonati, St. Bonaventure Guard
“I am truly grateful for the love and support the St. Bonaventure family is already showing me. The warmth and passion from the fans made my decision an easy one. I can’t wait to wear this jersey and give everything I have alongside my new teammates. Go Bonnies!”
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