By SAM LANCE
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Class of 2026 four-star wing Vaughn Karvala has scheduled an official visit to Syracuse for the weekend of Sept. 27, he told ZAGSBLOG.
Karvala, the 6-foot-6 wing originally from Oregon (WI), has been one of the biggest stockrisers of the summer, jumping from the 80s to a consensus top-40 prospect. On ESPN, Karvala now ranks 26th in the country.
His play for Team Herro on the EYBL circuit has led to his rise. Karvala was one of the most consistent players in EYBL play, using his athleticism on the wing to impact every game. Karvala is known as a knockdown shooter, but he’s really taken steps putting the ball on the deck and finishing above the rim.
Across 15 regular season contests, Karvala averaged 14.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 36-of-105 (34.3%) from 3-point range. His best game was a 24-point outing in a win vs. Tyran Stokes and the Oakland Soldiers. He played at Peach Jam nicked up and missed a couple games. The three he played, he averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists, including a 28-point game vs. JL3 Elite.
“It’s meant a lot,” Karvala said of his summer rise. “Everything I’ve been doing, producing, it’s all been working out for me in my favor. I just thank everyone for believing in me, all the coaches that have offered me and everything.”
One of Karvala’s teammates, Josh Manchester, has been especially impressed with his play this summer.
“He’s just playing freely,” Manchester said. “He’s playing with no regrets. He’s just going out there and being the player I’ve known he was for a while. We played AAU together in 4th grade so we’ve been close all growing up. So I’m just really happy for him to be blowing up like this. And just me and him play super well together so it’s just been a blast this whole spring.”
6’7” Vaughn Karvala’s recruitment is about to take a major leap
247 just ranked him in the top 50 for 2026
@vaughnK2026_ @NikeEYB @team_herro pic.twitter.com/uOeqf80zAN
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) May 28, 2025
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With his soar, Karvala’s recruitment is starting to ramp up. He took an official visit to Xavier in June and now has Syracuse set in September. He told ZAGSBLOG he’s looking to take additional visits to Alabama and Missouri. Previously, Karvala mentioned potential visits to Iowa and Ole Miss and broke down programs he’s unofficially visited like Marquette, Purdue and Wisconsin.
He gave some fresh thoughts on some of the programs involved in Augusta:
Xavier: “[The visit] was amazing. Right as we landed, they were there, most of the coaching staff. Then I met with [Richard] Pitino for steak, which was really good. Really good. And then we went and saw the campus. You know, it’s small, which is — I’m fine with a small school because there’s not as much ruckus in the winter… It was amazing though. I loved the coaching staff. Everything that they brought was really up my alley. How they play is how I like to play.”
On Pitino’s message: “Just keep working. I have a really good, really bright future. I can get to where I want to get. I just have to keep putting in the work.”
Syracuse: “I love that coaching staff. I’ve been there for an unofficial, saw them practice, but just getting back out there will be so much fun. It’s Syracuse. It’s New York. It’s pretty cool. The fans are crazy which is a great thing.”
Alabama: “Nate Oats is from Wisconsin, so I have to go out there and see Alabama. Maybe see a football game or something. Up-and-down, he loves to push the ball. They love development. I’d say that’s his biggest thing, developing. They got a really good team this year. Hopefully they go far.”
Missouri: “They lost last year in March Madness and kind of messed up my bracket, but it’s fine. Just want to get out there, see something.”
Iowa: “They’re new, but they’re just a really winning coaching staff. They came from Drake and they won a lot. So very winning. Lots of development, which is my main thing with colleges is if they can develop me to the next level.”
Ole Miss: “It’s been good. It’s been quiet so far, but hopefully we’ll get out there soon. Very defensive. That’s kind of like the second thing to my game, I love playing defense.”
Karvala hasn’t given any thought to narrowing it down yet and said he’ll have to talk about that, and a decision timeline, with his parents. Karvala is looking for development and the best fit for him in his future college home. The four-star recently announced his attending Bella Vista Prep for his senior season.
Photo via League Ready.
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