Rutgers announced the signing of Mervedi Miteo, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound forward/center from the Democratic Republic of Congo, continuing the program’s push to build size and international depth on the roster.
Miteo, born Dec. 13, 2008, in Kinhasa, Congo, spent the 2025-26 season in Spain’s youth and reserve pipeline with Gran Canaria after coming up through Real Madrid’s academy system. He became the youngest player ever to suit up for the DR Congo National Team, and was the youngest player on the roster at the FIBA African Qualifiers.
In the summer of 2025, Miteo represented the Democratic Republic of Congo at FIBA AfroBasket — the continent’s premier senior national team tournament — where he was the youngest player in the entire field and a consistent contributor throughout. Miteo averaged 6.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting an elite 55% from the field, 50% from three and 67% from the free-throw line against senior international competition.
He has also built a strong track record in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, EuroLeague’s premier U18 showcase, where he has averaged 12.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game for Gran Canaria against top junior competition from across Europe.
Miteo has also shown he can produce against grown men domestically. In a Segunda FEB game — Spain’s senior third division — he erupted for 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 2-of-2 from three, adding nine rebounds, two steals and a block.
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.”
Miteo joins a frontcourt Pikiell has been retooling with size and experience this offseason, following the additions of Slovenian forward Martin Tonejc and Italian forward Diego Garavaglia.
Miteo becomes the latest piece in Rutgers’ growing global recruiting footprint under Pikiell, who has emphasized length, versatility and pro-level experience as priorities for the program moving forward.
(Release via Rutgers)
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