Diego Garavaglia, the 19‑year‑old Italian forward who last starred for Ratiopharm Ulm in the German league, has officially joined Rutgers’ men’s basketball program, adding a fresh international dimension to the Scarlet Knights ahead of the upcoming season.
International Impact
Garavaglia’s résumé reads like a highlight reel: he helped Italy capture a bronze medal at a recent junior tournament, averaging 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds while delivering a 24‑point, eight‑steal performance against Serbia in the quarterfinals, a display that earned him a spot on the event’s All‑Star Five.
The buzz surrounding his recruitment was amplified by his 310th overall ranking in the 2026 class and a projected NBA trajectory, with several powerhouse programs — including Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky — having courted his signature before he chose the New Jersey campus.
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell, who had hinted at two incoming overseas additions during the summer workouts, welcomed the commitment as a boost for a roster that will feature a blend of veteran eligibility and fresh talent, while also noting that wing Lewis Duarte will not be returning.
Beyond the numbers, Garavaglia brings a competitive edge and a defensive mindset that could reshape the Scarlet Knights’ identity, positioning the team to compete more aggressively on both ends of the floor as they aim for a deeper run in the Big Ten.