Late Arrivals, Immediate Impact
Rutgers University announced the arrival of two late‑season freshman signees, Mervedi Miteo and Diego Garavaglia, who stepped onto campus in Piscataway after their summer workouts were postponed by visa and club‑season complications.
Miteo, a 6‑foot‑10, 260‑pound forward from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the youngest member of the squad and will anchor the power‑forward position, using his size and rebounding instincts to finish at the rim.
Garavaglia, a 6‑foot‑7 wing who honed his game in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga and the EuroCup, arrives as a defensive specialist and connector, offering the team length and versatility on the perimeter.
Coach Steve Pikiell emphasized that the pair were recruited to fill the gaps left by offseason departures, particularly at power forward and wing defense, and both are expected to make an immediate impact once September practices begin.
Their late arrival mirrors last year’s experience with Denis Badalau, who also faced processing delays, but the coaching staff remains confident that Miteo and Garavaglia will integrate smoothly and contribute from the outset.