Arizona men’s basketball’s front court for the 2026-27 is taking shape.
Nebraska transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius has signed with Arizona, giving the Wildcats an experienced, albeit injury-riddled big man who missed all but one game last season.
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Jarusevicius, a 6-foot-11 senior, starred at Central Michigan before transferring to the Cornhuskers ahead of the 2025-26 season. He was expected to be a key reserve at Nebraska but appeared in just one game due to a lingering back injury.
The Alytus, Lithuania native played the 2024-25 season at Central Michigan, where he averaged 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds. With the Chippewas, he shot 53.7% from the field, 71.8% from the free throw line and 31% from three-point range (22-71). He ranked fifth in the MAC in scoring average.
Jarusevicius began his career at Cal State Bakersfield. He missed half of his freshman season with an ankle injury.
Jarusevicius’ injury history will be a point of concern. Jarusevicius passed a physical on his visit to Arizona last week, according to Jason Scheer of Wildcat Authority.
Jarusevicius competed for the Lithuanian youth national team and spent two years in the NKL, Lithuania’s second-tier of professional basketball.
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Jarusevicius will become the third Lithuanian big man to play under Tommy Lloyd, joining Motiejus Krivas and Azuolas Tubelis.
Jarusevicius becomes the sixth addition to the 2026-27 roster and the second addition as many weeks to the front court. The Wildcats last week signed Dutch forward Endurance Aiyamenkhue. Arizona also returns Mabil Mawut.
Arizona still has two roster spots to fill for next season, and there’s hope that one of them could go to Koa Peat. Peat has until May 27 to withdraw from the NBA Draft.
