Rutgers is adding another international piece to its frontcourt, signing 6-foot-10, 260-pound forward/center Mervedi Miteo out of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Scarlet Knights have been leaning into size and global reach, and Miteo fits that mold cleanly. Born Dec. 13, 2008, in Kinhasa, Congo, he spent the 2025-26 season in Spain’s youth and reserve system with Gran Canaria after developing in Real Madrid’s academy.
His résumé already stretches well beyond the youth level. Miteo became the youngest player ever to suit up for the DR Congo National Team, and he was the youngest player on the roster at the FIBA African Qualifiers.
He also played for the Democratic Republic of Congo at FIBA AfroBasket in the summer of 2025, where he was the youngest player in the field and still managed to make a steady impact against senior competition. In that tournament, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field, 50% from three and 67% from the free-throw line.
The production has carried over in Europe’s top youth showcase as well. In the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, the EuroLeague’s premier U18 event, Miteo has averaged 12.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game for Gran Canaria against elite junior competition from across the continent.
He’s also shown he can handle older competition in domestic play. In a Segunda FEB game, Spain’s senior third division, Miteo put up 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting and went 2-of-2 from three, while also grabbing nine rebounds, recording two steals and blocking a shot.
Miteo is represented by The Team.
“Mervedi is exactly the type of player we’ve targeted as we’ve expanded our international recruiting,” head coach Steve Pikiell said. “He’s long, he’s skilled, and he’s played winning basketball at a high level already. We think the world of his upside, and we’re excited to get him into our program and watch him grow.”
He joins a Rutgers frontcourt that has already been reshaped this offseason with the additions of Slovenian forward Martin Tonejc and Italian forward Diego Garavaglia. Under Pikiell, the program has kept widening its international footprint while prioritizing length, versatility and pro-level experience.
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