Motiejus Krivas: Arizona's NBA Draft Prospect Shines

Motiejus Krivas: Arizona's 7-Foot-2 Giant Turning Heads in the 2026 NCAA Tournament

College basketball fans searching for the next great NBA big man need to look no further than Tucson, Arizona. Motiejus Krivas, a 7-foot-2 junior center from Lithuania, has emerged as one of the most intriguing players in the 2026 NCAA Tournament — and the national spotlight is only growing brighter. With Arizona advancing deep into March Madness and head coach Tommy Lloyd drawing comparisons to an NBA Hall of Famer, Krivas has become a must-watch player for scouts, fans, and draft analysts alike.

As Arizona powers through the bracket, questions swirl: Is Krivas the real deal? Can his game translate to the NBA? And just how good is this Lithuanian center who has quietly developed into a two-way force in the Pac-12? Here's everything you need to know.

Who Is Motiejus Krivas?

Motiejus Krivas is a junior center for the University of Arizona Wildcats, standing at an imposing 7 feet 2 inches tall. Born and raised in Lithuania — a country with a storied basketball tradition — Krivas has steadily developed from a raw prospect into one of the most effective big men in college basketball.

His statistical profile this season tells a compelling story: 10.5 points per game on an elite 58.2% shooting percentage, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 1.8 blocks per game. Those numbers reflect a player who dominates in the paint on both ends of the floor, making opponents uncomfortable every time they drive into the lane.

According to a feature profile published by ArizonaSports.com on March 26, 2026, Krivas has transformed from a slow-burn prospect into a genuine two-way talent — a development that few fully anticipated when he arrived in the U.S. from Europe.

Dominant NCAA Tournament Performance

The 2026 NCAA Tournament has been Krivas's coming-out party on the national stage. In Arizona's first-round victory over Long Island, the Lithuanian center was an absolute force, recording four blocks in a performance that sent a message to the rest of the field. His rim protection alone changes the calculus for any offense daring to attack the basket against the Wildcats.

Arizona's defensive identity is built in part around Krivas's presence. The Wildcats force opponents to shoot 2-pointers from an average of 7.0 feet from the rim — ranking 11th in all of Division I. That statistic is a testament to how profoundly Krivas alters shots and commands attention in the paint, creating a psychological deterrent that affects shot selection well before the ball ever leaves a defender's hands.

Following Arizona's advancement to the Round of 32 to face Utah State, Krivas's stock has only risen. His tournament play has validated what those who followed Arizona basketball already knew: this is not a one-dimensional space-eater. He is a thinking man's center, a player whose basketball IQ matches his physical tools.

The Arvydas Sabonis Comparison

Perhaps nothing generated more buzz around Krivas than what his own coach said after Arizona's Round of 32 advancement. On March 22, 2026, Tommy Lloyd publicly compared Krivas to Arvydas Sabonis — the Lithuanian NBA legend and Hall of Famer widely considered one of the greatest passing big men in basketball history.

Lloyd specifically highlighted Krivas's passing ability, pointing to a behind-the-back pass as evidence of a skill set that goes far beyond traditional post play. As reported by Yahoo Sports, the Sabonis comparison was not made lightly — and it immediately set the basketball world buzzing.

Comparing a player to Arvydas Sabonis is not something coaches do casually. Sabonis was a transcendent talent whose court vision and passing from the post redefined what a center could be. For Lloyd to invoke that name signals genuine belief in Krivas's ceiling.

The Lithuania connection adds a layer of narrative resonance. Sabonis himself was one of the greatest players to ever come out of that country, and Krivas now carries the torch of that proud basketball lineage onto one of college basketball's biggest stages.

NBA Draft Outlook: Strengths, Questions, and Projections

Krivas's performance has inevitably drawn serious NBA Draft attention — but the picture is nuanced. A USA Today analysis published on March 19, 2026, dug into whether Krivas has what it takes to be selected in the upcoming draft.

The strengths are obvious:

• Elite size at 7-foot-2 with legitimate mobility
• High-efficiency shooting inside at 58.2%
• Strong rebounding and legitimate shot-blocking
• Passing ability and court vision that suggests NBA-level basketball IQ
• A Lithuanian basketball pedigree that connects to a long tradition of skilled European bigs

The questions are equally real:

• Krivas has attempted just 12 three-pointers all season, making four of them — raising concerns about his perimeter range in an era where stretch bigs are at a premium
• His limited impact away from the basket could be a liability in the modern NBA's space-and-pace environment
• Draft evaluators must project how his skill set translates against NBA-caliber athletes who defend differently than college opponents

Some mock drafts are beginning to include Krivas in their projections. As noted by Heavy.com's NBA Mock Draft coverage, teams in need of a traditional, skilled center — a Mitchell Robinson type — could find Krivas an attractive option. His profile fits teams that want size, defense, and passing out of their big man.

Arizona's broader draft landscape also provides context. As reported by MSN Sports, the Wildcats' draft prospect pool is growing, with Koa Peat and Krivas headlining a program that has become a reliable pipeline to professional basketball under Tommy Lloyd's leadership.

The Making of a Two-Way Talent

What makes Krivas's development especially compelling is how it happened — gradually, then suddenly. The ArizonaSports.com profile describes a player who did not arrive in Tucson as a finished product but rather as a high-ceiling prospect who needed time, coaching, and confidence to unlock his full potential.

His European basketball background is central to understanding his game. Lithuanian basketball emphasizes fundamentals, footwork, and passing in ways that American youth basketball often does not. Big men who come through European academies frequently arrive with more refined post technique and a more sophisticated understanding of spacing and ball movement.

That background shows in Krivas's game. He does not just catch lob passes and finish — he reads the defense, makes decisions, and moves the ball. The behind-the-back pass that caught Tommy Lloyd's eye was not a fluke; it was the product of a basketball education that started years before he ever set foot in the desert.

His shooting efficiency (58.2% from the field) also reflects this technical foundation. Every make near the basket is earned through proper footwork, timing, and positioning rather than raw athleticism alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motiejus Krivas

How tall is Motiejus Krivas?

Krivas stands 7 feet 2 inches tall, making him one of the largest players in college basketball and a physically imposing presence on both ends of the floor.

What are Motiejus Krivas's stats this season?

In the 2025-26 season, Krivas averages 10.5 points per game on 58.2% shooting, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Arizona Wildcats.

Why is Tommy Lloyd comparing Krivas to Arvydas Sabonis?

Coach Lloyd highlighted Krivas's passing ability — specifically a behind-the-back pass — as evidence of playmaking skills uncommon in traditional centers. Sabonis, a Lithuanian NBA Hall of Famer, was famous for his passing out of the post, making the comparison a nod to both skill and heritage.

Will Motiejus Krivas be drafted by an NBA team?

Krivas is generating legitimate NBA Draft interest, though analysts debate his fit in the modern NBA due to limited three-point shooting. His size, defense, and passing make him an intriguing prospect, particularly for teams seeking a traditional but skilled center.

How has Krivas performed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

Krivas recorded four blocks in Arizona's first-round win over Long Island and has been a key part of the Wildcats' defensive identity as they advanced to the Round of 32 against Utah State.

Conclusion: A Name to Remember

Motiejus Krivas arrived in Tucson as a prospect. He is leaving the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a story. The 7-foot-2 Lithuanian center has used March Madness as the ideal platform to showcase everything that makes him unique: elite size, defensive presence, surprising passing ability, and the kind of basketball intelligence that scouts associate with the best European big men.

The Sabonis comparison from his own head coach will follow Krivas into the draft conversation — and rightly so. Whether or not he ultimately develops the perimeter game to become a genuine NBA rotation player, what he has done for Arizona this tournament has been undeniable. In a sport increasingly dominated by versatile wings and floor-spacers, Krivas represents something refreshingly old-school: a dominant, skilled, thinking big man who makes his team better on both ends.

Watch this space. Motiejus Krivas is just getting started.