Motiejus Krivas to Return to Arizona for Senior Season, Eyes 2027 NBA Draft
SLUG: motiejus-krivas-returning-to-arizona-senior-season-2026-27
CONTENT:
Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas will stay at the University of Arizona for the 2026-27 campaign, foregoing the 2026 NBA draft and setting his sights on 2027 instead.
The 7’2” junior announced his decision after discussions with the coaching staff and family. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman first reported the move, and the player later confirmed it publicly.
Krivas had been projected as a late first-round selection. Wasserman placed him No. 28 in his most recent mock draft, while ESPN listed him No. 27 on its best-available board before Friday’s early-entry deadline.
As a full-time starter in 2025-26, Krivas appeared in 39 games and averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks over 25.4 minutes. His performance earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and a spot on the conference’s all-defensive team.
Arizona finished 36-3, capturing both the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles and securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats reached the Final Four, where they fell to eventual national champion Michigan.
With Krivas staying in Tucson, several other prospects moved up draft boards. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo updated his rankings after notable lottery candidates Braylon Mullins and Thomas Haugh also opted to return to college.
Source: Hoops Rumors
