2026-27 Men's Basketball Roster
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Jersey Number 33
Diego Garavaglia
- Position:
- Guard
- Height:
- 6-7
- Weight:
- 200
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Milan, Italy
- High School:
- Cloe Giani High School
Diego Garavaglia arrives at Rutgers as one of the most decorated young players in Europe, bringing three seasons of professional experience and an international pedigree to the Scarlet Knights. A product of the famed Olimpia Milano youth academy, Garavaglia made his professional debut with the club's senior team in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A during the 2023-24 season at just 16 years old, then spent the 2025-26 campaign with Ratiopharm Ulm of Germany's Basketball Bundesliga, appearing in 33 games across all competitions, including EuroCup play.
A native of Milan, Italy, Garavaglia has been a fixture in the Italian national team pipeline, representing the Azzurrini at FIBA junior competitions from the U16 through U18 levels. He announced himself on the international stage at the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship, leading Italy to a bronze medal while pacing the team with 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 42-percent three-point shooting, earning a spot on the tournament's All-Star Five. Upon news of his commitment, ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony called Garavaglia a "major pickup" for the Scarlet Knights, citing his toughness, feel and professional experience. He joins fellow Italian Dorin Buca on the 2026-27 roster and is the second international addition of the offseason alongside Martin Tonejc.
Accolades & Achievements
Professional Career
International Career
Coach Pikiell Remarks
"Diego is a versatile, high-motor player who has been competing against professionals since he was 16 years old," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "He defends multiple positions, plays with great toughness and has a feel for the game beyond his years. He fits everything we value in our program, and our staff is thrilled to welcome him to the Rutgers family." *(DRAFT — pending Coach Pikiell's approval)*
Player Remarks
"I'm an all-around player — I can bring whatever the coach needs," Garavaglia said. "If Coach wants me to play defense, I play defense. If he wants me to shoot threes, I shoot threes. I'll do whatever Coach Pikiell asks of me. I can't wait for the first home game. To all of Rutgers Nation — I'm waiting for you at the arena to make some noise and celebrate all the victories we have ahead this season."
A native of Milan, Italy, Garavaglia has been a fixture in the Italian national team pipeline, representing the Azzurrini at FIBA junior competitions from the U16 through U18 levels. He announced himself on the international stage at the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship, leading Italy to a bronze medal while pacing the team with 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 42-percent three-point shooting, earning a spot on the tournament's All-Star Five. Upon news of his commitment, ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony called Garavaglia a "major pickup" for the Scarlet Knights, citing his toughness, feel and professional experience. He joins fellow Italian Dorin Buca on the 2026-27 roster and is the second international addition of the offseason alongside Martin Tonejc.
Accolades & Achievements
- Bronze medalist at the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship
- Named to the All-Star Five at the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship
- Selected to the NBA and FIBA's Basketball Without Borders Europe camp in 2024
- Named to the top prospects list at the 2024 and 2025 Adidas Next Generation Tournament events in Belgrade
- Named to the top prospects list at the 2023 FIBA U16 European Championship
- Made his Lega Basket Serie A debut with Olimpia Milano at 16 years old
- Regarded as one of the top defenders in his age group in Europe
Professional Career
- Appeared in 33 games across all competitions for Ratiopharm Ulm in 2025-26, including German Bundesliga and EuroCup play
- Shot 51.3 percent on two-point attempts and 73.3 percent from the free-throw line while averaging 12 minutes per game for Ulm
- Made his professional debut with Olimpia Milano's senior team in Lega Basket Serie A during the 2023-24 season
- Developed in the youth academy of Olimpia Milano, one of Italy's most decorated professional clubs
- Starred for Olimpia Milano at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, Europe's premier junior club competition
International Career
- Led Italy to a bronze medal at the 2025 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging a team-best 14.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent from three-point range
- Erupted for 24 points, six rebounds and eight steals in the quarterfinal win over Serbia
- Named to the tournament's All-Star Five following the bronze-medal run
- Has represented Italy at FIBA junior competitions from the U16 through U18 levels
- Named to the top prospects list at the 2023 FIBA U16 European Championship
- Born April 4, 2007
- Measured at 6-foot-7.5 in shoes with a 6-foot-7.25 wingspan and 34.5-inch max vertical at the 2024 Basketball Without Borders Europe camp
- Joins fellow Italian Dorin Buca on the Rutgers roster
Coach Pikiell Remarks
"Diego is a versatile, high-motor player who has been competing against professionals since he was 16 years old," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "He defends multiple positions, plays with great toughness and has a feel for the game beyond his years. He fits everything we value in our program, and our staff is thrilled to welcome him to the Rutgers family." *(DRAFT — pending Coach Pikiell's approval)*
Player Remarks
"I'm an all-around player — I can bring whatever the coach needs," Garavaglia said. "If Coach wants me to play defense, I play defense. If he wants me to shoot threes, I shoot threes. I'll do whatever Coach Pikiell asks of me. I can't wait for the first home game. To all of Rutgers Nation — I'm waiting for you at the arena to make some noise and celebrate all the victories we have ahead this season."
Wednesday, July 01
Wednesday, May 06
Monday, March 16
Friday, March 13
