Arizona State Lands Paulius Murauskas as Randy Bennett Connection Pays Off

The Arizona State Sun Devils made one of their most significant moves of the offseason by officially landing forward Paulius Murauskas through the transfer portal. The commitment represents a major recruiting win as the program reshapes its roster under new leadership.

Murauskas arrives after a standout run at Saint Mary’s Gaels, where he developed into one of the most productive forwards in the West Coast Conference. His decision had been widely anticipated given his strong ties to coaching connections and his established relationship with the system he previously played in.

The Lithuanian forward has steadily risen in prominence since entering college basketball, becoming a central figure in Saint Mary’s offense over the past two seasons. His combination of scoring ability and rebounding consistency made him one of the most sought-after names in the portal.

Arizona State’s addition of Murauskas signals a clear push to accelerate its roster rebuild following coaching changes and key departures.

1. Proven Production in the West Coast Conference

Murauskas earned first-team All-West Coast Conference honors during his time with Saint Mary’s, cementing his status as one of the league’s top forwards. He also captured the 2025 WCC Newcomer of the Year award, reflecting his immediate impact after joining the program. In the 2025–26 season, he averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, finishing as the conference’s second-leading scorer. His ability to produce efficiently on both ends of the floor elevated his national profile. He consistently served as a focal point of the Gaels’ offense, showing versatility as both a scorer inside the paint and a capable mid-range threat. His rebounding presence further strengthened his overall value. Those numbers placed him among the most complete forwards available in the transfer market this offseason.

2. Journey Through Multiple Programs

Before his breakout at Saint Mary’s, Murauskas began his collegiate career at the Arizona Wildcats, where opportunities were limited. He struggled to secure consistent playing time behind an established frontcourt rotation. Competing behind players such as Motiejus Krivas, Oumar Ballo, and Keshad Johnson, Murauskas found minutes difficult to come by in Tucson. That situation ultimately prompted his first transfer decision. After entering the portal in 2024, he made the move to Saint Mary’s, where his role expanded significantly. The change proved pivotal in unlocking his offensive production and confidence. His path reflects a steady progression from depth player to conference standout within a short span of time.

3. Key Addition for Arizona State’s Rebuild

Murauskas joins a retooled Arizona State roster undergoing major changes following coaching transitions and player departures. His arrival helps offset the loss of center Massamba Diop, who entered the transfer portal after the program’s leadership shift. Diop had been regarded as one of the top centers available in the portal, making his departure a significant void in the frontcourt. Murauskas now provides an immediate scoring and rebounding replacement option. Despite expectations that multiple Saint Mary’s players might follow coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas remains the only confirmed transfer from that pipeline at this stage. He joins a broader group of portal additions that includes Joel Foxwell (Pepperdine), Emmanuel Innocenti (Gonzaga), Marcus Vaughns (LSU), and Nate Garcia (Cal Baptist), forming the backbone of the Sun Devils’ revamped roster.