4-star small forward Vaughn Karvala visits Syracuse basketball, picks up Orange offer

Vaughn Karvala, a fast-rising prospect in the 2026 class from Wisconsin, visited Syracuse basketball this past weekend and has received a scholarship offer from the Orange staff, he disclosed via his X page.

The 6-foot-6 Karvala, a four-star small forward in the junior cycle, recently made one of the largest jumps around the country when recruiting service and media outlet On3 updated its 2026 rankings in early October, as he moved into the top 55 overall.

Karvala attends Oregon High School in Oregon, Wis. Last week, another Wisconsin product, three-star wing Aaron Womack of Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wis., officially signed with the 'Cuse in its 2025 class, per SU Athletics.

From late April to late May, in the most recent AAU regular season, Karvala played at a high level for the 16U squad of the Milwaukee-based Team Herro in Nike's EYBL league. During that time, he averaged 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Four-star Vaughn Karvala recently visited the Orange and scored a Syracuse basketball offer.

According to recruiting services, beyond the 'Cuse, Karvala holds scholarship offers from teams such as Arizona State, Marquette, Ole Miss, Wisconsin, Arkansas State and Northern Michigan.

Following On3's recent update to its top 150 in the 2026 class, Karvala climbed a massive 64 spots, from No. 117 to No. 53 nationally. On3 also places him as the No. 18 small forward and the No. 1 prospect from Wisconsin in his cycle.

When I wrote this column, the industry-generated 247Sports Composite had Karvala as four stars, No. 113 nationwide, No. 40 at small forward and No. 1 in Wisconsin.

To date, I'm aware of at least 15 high school juniors who have secured Orange offers at this juncture, although the 'Cuse staff probably isn't actively pursuing all of them these days. In recent weeks, Syracuse basketball offered scholarships to a trio of 2026 prospects who suit up for CIA Bella Vista in Phoenix.

They are four-star guard Rokiem Green, four-star center Aliou Dioum and four-star point guard Miles Sadler.

Other juniors who appear to be priority targets for the Orange in this class include five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., five-star guard/small forward Alex Constanza and five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., among others.

Smith and Rippey have taken unofficial visits to the Hill, while Constanza went on an official visit to Syracuse basketball about a month ago.