Arizona and Motiejus Krivas officially announced the re-signing of the Lithuanian center for a fourth season in 2026-27, giving the Wildcats a foundation to rebuild their post rotation around.
Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov have both been expected to re-sign with Arizona for next season, although it was initially possible they could test the NBA Draft process at the same time as guard Jaden Bradley did last spring.
Michigan center Aday Mara gets a handful of jersey, picking up a foul defending a shot from Arizona center Motiejus Krivas in the second half of their Final Four game, Indianapolis on April 4, 2026.
Coming off a sophomore season that was severely limited by a foot/ankle injury, Krivas became a first-team all Big 12 pick in 2025-26 while averaging 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He shot 56.9% from the floor and 78% from the free throw line.
Krivas could enter next season with a variety of national and conference preseason honors, including defensive player of the year awards. While he ranked 60th nationally with a block percentage of 6.5 in 2025-26, he was also known for changing opponents' shots.
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According to CBB Analytics, UA opponents shot just 37% from the field when Krivas was on the floor in 2025-26, the lowest percentage tied to any player in Division I. ESPN's top Big 12 analyst, Fran Fraschilla, cited plenty of anecdotal evidence when replying to an X post Monday that former Kansas center Flory Bidunga was a better defender than Krivas.
"I've seen both and I don't care about analytics," Fraschilla said. "What makes Krivas unique is the amount of times opponents drove into the paint and back out without challenging him. Hence, no blocked shot."
With NCAA rules now allowing teams a foreign exhibition trip every year, the Wildcats have been considering a summertime trip that could take Krivas near his home in Lithuania. Krivas joined the Wildcats as a freshman in time to join them for their 2023 tour through Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
The Wildcats now have eight scholarship players lined up for 2026-27, with a need for at least two post players.
Arizona’s spring roster transition
As of Monday
Expected returners
F Ivan Kharchenkov | 6-7 | 230 | sophomore
C Motiejus Krivas* | 7-2 | 260 | senior
F Mabil Mawut* | 6-11 | 200 | R-freshman
G Bryce James* | 6-5 | 185 | R-freshman
* Confirmed
Signed newcomers
G Caleb Holt | 6-5 | 200 | freshman
F Cameron Holmes | 6-6 | 205 | freshman
G Derek Dixon | 6-5 | 200 | sophomore
G JJ Mandaquit | 6-1 | 201 | sophomore
Expected departures
G Jaden Bradley | 6-3 | 205 (declared for NBA Draft)
F Tobe Awaka | 6-9 | 250 (out of eligibility*)
F Anthony Dell’Orso | 6-6 | 190 (out of eligibility*)
G Brayden Burries | 6-4 | 190 (declared for NBA Draft)
F Koa Peat | 6-8 | 235 (declared for NBA Draft)
F Dwayne Aristode | 6-8 | 215 | (in transfer portal)
F Sidi Gueye | 6-11 | 215 | (transferring to Santa Clara)
G Evan Nelson | 6-2 | 170 (out of eligibility)
* = Under current rules. (Nelson is also out of eligibility under the proposed "five in five" rule since his five-year window is up).
R = Redshirted in 2025-26
