By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In a move that reaffirms the significant shift in the landscape of collegiate recruiting, Brazilian standout Marcio Henrique da Costa Santos, better known as Marcio Santos or simply Marcio, has committed to play for Will Wade and the LSU Tigers for the 2026–27 season, as reported by DraftExpress and Jonathan Givony on Wednesday.
The 6’9″ big, who is currently 23 years old, brings a wealth of elite professional experience to Baton Rouge, most recently serving as a key rotational piece for Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague. During his tenure in Europe’s premier competition, he proved his modern skillset by averaging 6.9 points in just 14 minutes per game while shooting an impressive 40% from beyond the arc.
His journey to the SEC has been defined by rapid development on the international stage. A native of Tres Coracoes, Minas Gerais, he first gained prominence with Franca in the Novo Basquete Brasil, NBB, and helped the club secure the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 2023.
Following a stint in the BKT EuroCup and Germany’s easyCredit BBL with ratiopharm Ulm during the 2024–25 season, his jump to Maccabi allowed him to showcase his floor-spacing abilities against the highest level of competition outside the NBA.
NEWS: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Márcio Santos has committed to LSU, Arturs Kalnitis and @FFGBasketball tell DraftExpress.
The 6’9, 23-year-old Brazilian big averaged 6.9 points in 14 minutes in the Euroleague, shooting 40% from 3.
Big addition for Will Wade and the Tigers. pic.twitter.com/Gf68ZNBuP0
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 6, 2026
Despite going undrafted in 2023 and participating in Summer League stints with the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic, Santos has utilized his time in Europe to refine his game into that of a versatile, modern center. By choosing to join Will Wade’s roster, he provides Louisiana State University with a unique blend of size and perimeter shooting. His commitment represents a major win for the Tigers, adding a proven professional with a championship pedigree to their frontcourt rotation.