Rutgers basketball adds Mervedi Miteo, power forward from overseas

The search for a power forward for Rutgers basketball’s 2026-27 roster brought head coach Steve Pikiell overseas to size up an under-the-radar prospect he’s very high on.

It resulted in a commitment from Mervedi Miteo, who plays in Spain.

Here are three things to know about the 6-foot-10, 260-pound native of the Congo.

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Miteo turns 18 in December, but he has some interesting experience. He recently joined Draemland Gran Canaria, a professional basketball club based in Spain’s Canary Islands. They’re in Liga ACB Spain’s top pro-ball division.

Miteo suited up for them eight times this past spring. Most appearances were cameos. On May 3 he logged six points on 2-of-3 field goals, one rebound, one steal, one turnover and four fouls in six minutes during a 22-point loss to Barcelona. Among his teammates there were former standout Miami guard Isaiah Wong and former Virginia center Mike Tobey, who was ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2016.

Previously, Miteo played for Gran Canaria’s team in Spain’s under-22 league and averaged 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds (including 2.6 offensive boards) in 21.7 minutes while shooting 54.2 percent from the field and 58.1 percent from the free-throw line (he also shot 2-of-16 from 3-point range).

He also played internationally on Congo’s 2025-26 FIBA World Cup team, appearing in three contests and averaging 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16 minutes. He was the youngest player on the squad.

Miteo is the first true power forward on Rutgers’ 2026-27 roster. The Scarlet Knights had two combo forwards in the fold in Manhattan transfer Will Sydnor and Slovenian import Martin Tonejc, but neither has Big Ten four-man heft (both are listed at 210 pounds). Miteo gives Pikiell some flexibility if he wants to employ a lineup that’s big across the three-four-five spots.

Hailed for his aggression and physicality, with a body that fits the part, this is the type of player you take a chance with at this stage of roster construction.

The addition of Miteo leaves Rutgers’ 2026-27 roster full at 16 players (the limit is 15, but third-year walk-on Max Fradkin is grandfathered under the old rules and doesn’t count against the limit). Dominican Republic guard Lewis Duarte, who announced his commitment in the spring, will not be on the team due to eligibility issues.

Of their 15 scholarship players, the Scarlet Knights returned six from last season, brought in four transfers and five college basketball newcomers. Four of the newcomers arrive directly from overseas in an attempt to mine the foreign market with bigger bodies after missing on two guards last season.

Guards (7): Tariq Francis, Lino Mark, Jamichael Davis, Rasheed Jones, Kaden Powers, Imahri Wooten, Max Fradkin (walk-on).

Wings (3): Darren Buchanan, Darin Smith, Diego Garavaglia.

Bigs (6): Christian Gurdak, Mervedi Miteo, Will Sydnor, Gevonte Ware, Dorin Buca, Martin Tonejc.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball adds Mervedi Miteo, power forward from overseas