Arizona center Motiejus Krivas to return to school for senior season

Arizona junior center Motiejus Krivas will return to school for his senior season after he considered entering the 2026 NBA Draft, Krivas and the program announced on Monday.

The 7-foot-2 Lithuanian native was considered a late first-round prospect, having averaged 10.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, two assists and 2.2 blocks per game during the Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament run to the Final Four.

Krivas posted career-best numbers during the 2025-26 season with 10.4 points (56.9% shooting), 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.9 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game. He led the Wildcats with 73 blocks and finished second in rebounds (318) behind senior forward Tobe Awaka (353).

As a result, Krivas earned All-Big 12 First-Team and All-Defensive Team honors.

Krivas has played his entire collegiate career in Tucson. Across three seasons, he averaged eight points on 56.3% shooting and 30.8% from 3. He added 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game (83 games, 40 starts).

Arizona will still be represented in the 2026 NBA Draft, with freshman guard Brayden Burries as a projected lottery pick after he declared. Koa Peat, another projected first-rounder, has also declared, as well as senior point guard Jaden Bradley.

Ivan Kharchenkov, meanwhile, did not declare for the NBA Draft.

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