Rutgers kept leaning into the international market this week, landing Italian forward Diego Garavaglia for the 2026-27 season.
Garavaglia is the latest addition to Steve Pikiell’s roster-building approach overseas, following 20-year-old Slovenian forward Martin Tonejc, who will also arrive as a freshman. The new Scarlet Knights commit brings a 6-foot-6 frame, a 19-year-old’s upside and something Rutgers can use right away: defensive versatility backed by real professional experience.
Garavaglia has spent time with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany’s top division, and that background is part of what makes him such an intriguing pickup. He has already been viewed as one of Europe’s better young two-way prospects, and FIBA recently placed him among the top 20 players under 20 projected to become the next stars in Europe.
“Garavaglia has been one of the top two-way prospects in Europe for a number of years,” wrote youth basketball expert Ignacio Rissotto for the FIBA website. “He has been a staple of Italy's youth national teams, including their silver medal run at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, where he also finished second in blocks per game.” This international success showcases his basketball IQ, timing, and ability to impact games on both ends of the floor against elite competition."
His 2025-26 season with Ulm came against a high-level backdrop. The German club has produced three NBA Draft picks over the past three years, and Garavaglia’s numbers were modest. Still, the production doesn’t fully capture what he brought.
“With Ulm in the German first division, Garavaglia has continued to make an impact with his positional size, ability to attack the basket with power, and especially with his versatile defense, which allows him to create stops and force turnovers both around the basket and out on the perimeter,” Rissotto continued.
There’s clearly room for growth, especially as a shooter. Rissotto pointed to the jumper as the main area that needs work, noting that it hasn’t fallen this season at the same rate it did in his recent FIBA youth appearances. Even so, the overall package remains appealing.
“There's room for improvement for the Italian wing, especially with the jumper, which hasn't fallen this season at the same rate it did in his recent FIBA youth appearances, but Garavaglia's size and defensive impact make him a high-floor player who could become a long-time contributor for Italy.”
At the U18 EuroBasket, Garavaglia averaged 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 42% from three-point range.
For Rutgers, the appeal is straightforward. Garavaglia brings immediate help on the defensive end, with length and instincts that should aid perimeter defense and rim protection.
Offensively, the staff can keep developing his jumper and overall consistency while leaning on the two-way skills he already has. His professional background also suggests he should be ready for the physicality and structure of team basketball.
The move also adds to Rutgers’ growing international recruiting pipeline. Last year’s additions of Harun Zrno and Denis Badalau did not become game changers, but they did help set the stage for a longer-term commitment to overseas talent.
For Rutgers fans, Garavaglia gives the program another young prospect with real upside and a track record that already stands out in Europe.
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