Basketball News: 6-24-2026
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Dudley Dent
Jun 24, 2026, 7:48:42 AM (20 hours ago) Jun 24
to Tiger Tracks
Auburn Basketball News: 6-24-2026
Auburn signs Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-roster-transfer-portal-2026-mantas-rubstavicius-steven-pearl-287923872/
Auburn basketball recruiting news: Tigers get clarity on 1 international player, seeking clarity on another:
https://flywareagle.com/auburn-basketball-recruiting-news-tigers-clarity-1-international-player-seeking-clarity-another
Auburn officially signs Mantas Rubštavicius of Lithuania:
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/23/auburn-officially-signs-mantas-rubstavicius-of-lithuania-1
Auburn Inks Lithuanian Guard Mantas Rubštavicius Amidst Eligibility Questions:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/basketball/auburn-inks-lithuanian-guard-mantas-rubstavicius
************************
Auburn signs Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius
By Nathan King
The Tigers have made their final roster addition official.
Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius has signed with Auburn after committing to the program last month. He is expected to arrive on campus soon to report to summer practices.
"We are excited to welcome Mantas Rubštavicius to our program," Steven Pearl said in the program's announcement Tuesday. "A native of Panevežys, Lithuania, Mantas comes from a strong basketball background and has developed into one of Europe's most accomplished young players. He helped lead Lithuania to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, averaging 19.7 points per game to earn the tournament scoring title and setting Lithuania's U20 single-game scoring record with 38 points in the quarterfinals against France. He has also represented his country at the senior national team level, showcasing his talent on some of the game's biggest international stages.
"Raised around basketball by his father, former professional player Darius Rubštavicius, Mantas developed a deep understanding and passion for the game from an early age. He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner who has consistently contributed to successful teams throughout his career.
"Mantas embodies the qualities we prioritize in our program—skill, toughness, competitiveness, and character. His international experience, winning mentality, and commitment to team success make him an outstanding addition to our family, and we are excited to see the impact he will have both on and off the court."
Rubštavicius was the last unsigned addition of Auburn's eight newcomers on this year's roster. French center Narcisse Ngoy has also yet to report to campus but signed back in April.
A 6-foot-6 wing scorer who turned 24 earlier in May, Rubštavicius has played professionally since 2018. He started in his native Lithuania before playing in Australia's National Basketball League in 2023-24. After taking that jump, Rubštavicius was invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp in 2024 and appeared in the NBA Summer League with the Golden State Warriors, playing 9.3 minutes per game.
Here is Rubštavicius's draft profile on NBA.com from his pre-draft process in 2024:
"Rubštavicius stands at 6-foot-6, and even though his 196-pound frame is a bit slim, he doesn't need to be the strongest player out there due to his quickness and the fact he'll probably spend most of his time on offense as a perimeter threat due to his excellent shooting skills. He has the handles of a guard and the size of a stretch-four, making him very difficult for opposing defenses to slow down. To make things even better for him, he also can knock down shots with ease, either as a catch-and-shoot threat or after making very few dribbles.
"His shooting ability doesn't get enough credit, but if he's shooting over 50% from the field in a fast-tempo game such as the NBL, that should translate very well to the NBA. His off-the-ball movements and playmaking ability suggest he can also operate as a secondary ball-handler at the NBA level. Defensively, Rubštavicius has shown he can defend wings due to his lateral quickness and excellent first step. However, his defensive decision-making is not at an NBA level yet. He needs to improve on his composure defensively as his aggressiveness often makes him read plays the wrong way.
"But he has the physical traits to hold his own. He just needs to work on the defensive intangibles, something that he'll eventually learn with more reps at a higher level."
Rubštavicius joins an Auburn backcourt that returns starters Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, added Vanderbilt transfer George Kimble III to be the backup point guard, and is also bringing back rising sophomore Simon Walker, who saw limited usage as a freshman after a preseason foot injury. Elyjah Freeman transferred out after finishing last season as Auburn's starter at small forward.
***********************
Auburn basketball recruiting news: Tigers get clarity on 1 international player, seeking clarity on another
By Andrew Hughes
Fly War Eagle
On Tuesday, the Auburn Tigers completed their 2026-27 roster with the addition of Mantas Rubštavicius, who projects as a potential point forward who's skilled athletic enough to keep up with American 2-guards. At 24, he has a mature physical profile. Rubštavicius could do it all on the floor, combining finesse with a bit of dog in him while attacking a crowded paint.
As 247Sports' Nate King revealed, Rubštavicius will be reporting to campus soon, but there's still a hold-up with the team's other notable international signing, seven-foot French center Narcisse Ngoy, a traditional big man whose game could use refinement.
"Rubštavicius was the last unsigned addition of Auburn's eight newcomers on this year's roster. French center Narcisse Ngoy has also yet to report to campus but signed back in April," King wrote.
Until reported otherwise, Ngoy's absence in Auburn should be treated as clerical. No need to fret just yet.
Ngoy owns a seven-foot-seven wingspan and good instincts for protecting the rim. While he may never develop Walker Kessler's offensive game, it's possible Ngoy matures into one of the most disruptive down-low defenders since the Atlanta-area North Carolina Tar Heels transfer transformed the Tigers into an SEC Championship team four years ago. Ngoy has a more impressive physical profile than Dylan Cardwell, but it would be a positive if he could give even half the effort Cardwell gave during his legendary career in Lee County, AL.
If/when Ngoy comes to campus, Auburn will have a legitimate NBA-caliber talent in tow. Ngoy was an NBA draft candidate this year before withdrawing his name and entering the collegiate realm and joining a new trend. International talents are taking over, and as ESPN's Jay Bilas recently told me in a conversation in promotion of NBC's 2026 American Century Championship, they've been here for a bit and are going nowhere.
As for Rubštavicius, if Pearl could find ways to utilize his versatility, the Lithuanian wing could be forced onto the floor as much as possible next to the team's two likely leading scorers next season, guards Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton. Like Ngoy, Rubštavicius is over 21 and is looking for an expedited path to the NBA. Rubštavicius already has some NBA experience, playing with the Golden State Warriors during the 2024 NBA Summer League. He hasn't played during the regular season and never signed a contract, though, allowing him to maintain his eligibility.
Steven Pearl is playing ball with college hoops' unclear rules
Now AU has guys who've been in NBA-adjacent locker rooms, facing legitimate NBA competition. Pearl is just playing ball in the modern era, since this is the way the sport is now. At the top of college basketball, at least.
North Carolina, the Duke Blue Devils, the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Kentucky Wildcats, the Texas Longhorns, the LSU Tigers, the Florida Gators, and the Illinois Fighting Illini are just a few of the programs that have taken to the international realm. By and large, that's great company to be in for anything in college basketball.
Pearl has arrived on the international scene, whether nearby schools that have neither the gumption nor the funds to compete like it or not. These players basically function as hardwood mercenaries, but so do the top one-and-done American recruits every cycle who are looking for a springboard to the NBA.
Whether you like it or not, the sport has changed, and Pearl has adapted with it. That's how business has to be done in the 2020s.
***********************
Auburn officially signs Mantas Rubštavicius of Lithuania
By Ted Feeley
Steven Pearl has rounded out his 2026-27 roster by landing a top European talent with the signing of Mantas Rubštavicius from Panevezys, Lithuania.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Rubštavicius joins the Tigers via Žalgiris Kaunas, which is the premier club of the Lithuanian Basketball League. He averaged 7.8 ppg, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season in helping Žalgiris Kaunas finish 31-1 overall.
“We are excited to welcome Mantas to our program,” Pearl said. “Mantas comes from a strong basketball background and has developed into one of Europe’s most accomplished young players. He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways.”
Rubštavicius signed with Žalgiris Kaunas in 2018 and has spent the last eight years in the Lithuanian and Australian basketball league. In 2022, he averaged 7.1 ppg in the Lithuanian league and in 2023 he averaged 9.5 ppg in the Australian league playing for the New Zealand Breakers.
In 2024, he returned to Žalgiris Kaunas and was loaned to Lietkabelis where he averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He returned to the main club of Žalgiris in 2025.
Rubštavicius also has extensive experience representing his country on the national stage, having played for the Lithuanian National Team at the U16, U19 and U20 levels. He debuted for the Lithuania men’s national team in February of 2023.
In the 2022 FIBA U20 European Championship, Rubštavicius averaged 19.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, highlighted by a record-setting 38-point performance against France in the quarterfinals. Rubštavicius was the top scorer of that tournament and earned All-Tournament Team honors.
“Mantas embodies the qualities we prioritize in our program – skill, toughness, competitiveness and character. His international experience, winning mentality and a commitment to team success makes him an outstanding addition to our family and we are excited to see the impact he will have both on and off the court.
Rubštavicius rounds out an impressive signing class for Pearl and the Tigers. Below is a full list of 2026-27 signees:
2026-27 Signees:
Narcisse Ngoy – C – 7’0’’ – France/Union Poitiers Basket 86
Bukky Oboye – F/C – 7’1’’ – Houston Texas/Santa Clara
Adam Olsen – G/F – 6’8’’ – Surrey, B.C., Canada/South Alabama
Owen Freeman – F – 6’10’’ – Moline, Ill./Iowa/Creighton
Thomas Dowd – F – 6’8’’ – Dothan, Ala./Troy
George Kimble III – G – 6’2’’ – Tampa, Fla./Eckerd/EKU/Vanderbilt
Mantas Rubštavicius – G – 6’6’’ – Panevezys, Lithuania/ Žalgiris Kaunas
Caleb Williams – G – 6’5’’ – Tampa, Fla./Specially Fit Academy (incoming freshman)
***********************
Auburn Inks Lithuanian Guard Mantas Rubštavicius Amidst Eligibility Questions
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers’ basketball program has seemingly gone quiet after a flurry of top-tier pickups, but one key narrative was finally settled on Tuesday, when the university announced that it had officially signed Mantas Rubštavicius, a Lithuanian guard who had been committed to the Plains since May 15.
https://x.com/AuburnMBB/status/2069435235213738346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069435235213738346%7Ctwgr%5Ee66fa6b94317b9228d69b1d327ef229f66d28ddc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Fbasketball%2Fauburn-inks-lithuanian-guard-mantas-rubstavicius
“We are excited to welcome Mantas Rubštavicius to our program,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said in a statement. “He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner…”
Tiger fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief with this news, as there was some questioning as to whether or not Rubštavicius would be eligible to play, given the NCAA’s new eligibility guidelines. Some feared that these guidelines would keep Rubštavicius out of the league, but now that he is signed, he is likely safe for the remainder of his collegiate career.
Rubštavicius, a former overseas pro, has played for the NZ Breakers in Australia’s NBL, Lietkabelis in the EuroCup and Zalgiris in the Euro League. He originally began his professional career in Lithuania.
The Tigers are set to look completely different in 2026, as they have lost top talent like Sebastian Williams-Adams, who committed to Vanderbilt, Filip Jovic, who committed to UCLA and Kaden Magwood, a former four-star recruit who has yet to find a new home. Additionally, the Tigers have lost Emeka Oporum, a high-upside center who missed most of the 2025 season with injury.
The Tigers are still set to keep some top talent, though, as standout sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford has announced his intent to stay on the Plains, joining NIT MOP Kevin Overton as the Tigers’ two big-time keeps.
Additionally, Rubštavicius will join several fellow new Tigers, including former Big Ten Freshman of the Year forward Owen Freeman, 7-foot-1 Santa Clara transfer Bukky Oboye, Vanderbilt shooting guard transfer George Kimble, South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen and Thomas Dowd, who led the Sun Belt in rebounds in 2026.
The Tigers have also been working in recruiting, landing the aforementioned Narcisse Ngoy, a French seven-footer with professional basketball experience, as well as Caleb Williams, a three-star shooting guard in the class of 2026.
Despite the heavy roster shakeup, though, Auburn appears poised for a strong season with the roster building that Steven Pearl has been doing over the last few months. However, the team will need to build some chemistry this offseason, as much like last year, few of these players have played on the same roster before.
If Pearl can get all of these new acquisitions, as well as the returners, on the same page and working as a unit, the Tigers appear to have a roster that could make a deep push into the NCAA Tournament, even in its new expanded format.
Auburn signs Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-basketball-roster-transfer-portal-2026-mantas-rubstavicius-steven-pearl-287923872/
Auburn basketball recruiting news: Tigers get clarity on 1 international player, seeking clarity on another:
https://flywareagle.com/auburn-basketball-recruiting-news-tigers-clarity-1-international-player-seeking-clarity-another
Auburn officially signs Mantas Rubštavicius of Lithuania:
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/23/auburn-officially-signs-mantas-rubstavicius-of-lithuania-1
Auburn Inks Lithuanian Guard Mantas Rubštavicius Amidst Eligibility Questions:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/basketball/auburn-inks-lithuanian-guard-mantas-rubstavicius
************************
Auburn signs Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius
By Nathan King
The Tigers have made their final roster addition official.
Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius has signed with Auburn after committing to the program last month. He is expected to arrive on campus soon to report to summer practices.
"We are excited to welcome Mantas Rubštavicius to our program," Steven Pearl said in the program's announcement Tuesday. "A native of Panevežys, Lithuania, Mantas comes from a strong basketball background and has developed into one of Europe's most accomplished young players. He helped lead Lithuania to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA U20 EuroBasket, averaging 19.7 points per game to earn the tournament scoring title and setting Lithuania's U20 single-game scoring record with 38 points in the quarterfinals against France. He has also represented his country at the senior national team level, showcasing his talent on some of the game's biggest international stages.
"Raised around basketball by his father, former professional player Darius Rubštavicius, Mantas developed a deep understanding and passion for the game from an early age. He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner who has consistently contributed to successful teams throughout his career.
"Mantas embodies the qualities we prioritize in our program—skill, toughness, competitiveness, and character. His international experience, winning mentality, and commitment to team success make him an outstanding addition to our family, and we are excited to see the impact he will have both on and off the court."
Rubštavicius was the last unsigned addition of Auburn's eight newcomers on this year's roster. French center Narcisse Ngoy has also yet to report to campus but signed back in April.
A 6-foot-6 wing scorer who turned 24 earlier in May, Rubštavicius has played professionally since 2018. He started in his native Lithuania before playing in Australia's National Basketball League in 2023-24. After taking that jump, Rubštavicius was invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp in 2024 and appeared in the NBA Summer League with the Golden State Warriors, playing 9.3 minutes per game.
Here is Rubštavicius's draft profile on NBA.com from his pre-draft process in 2024:
"Rubštavicius stands at 6-foot-6, and even though his 196-pound frame is a bit slim, he doesn't need to be the strongest player out there due to his quickness and the fact he'll probably spend most of his time on offense as a perimeter threat due to his excellent shooting skills. He has the handles of a guard and the size of a stretch-four, making him very difficult for opposing defenses to slow down. To make things even better for him, he also can knock down shots with ease, either as a catch-and-shoot threat or after making very few dribbles.
"His shooting ability doesn't get enough credit, but if he's shooting over 50% from the field in a fast-tempo game such as the NBL, that should translate very well to the NBA. His off-the-ball movements and playmaking ability suggest he can also operate as a secondary ball-handler at the NBA level. Defensively, Rubštavicius has shown he can defend wings due to his lateral quickness and excellent first step. However, his defensive decision-making is not at an NBA level yet. He needs to improve on his composure defensively as his aggressiveness often makes him read plays the wrong way.
"But he has the physical traits to hold his own. He just needs to work on the defensive intangibles, something that he'll eventually learn with more reps at a higher level."
Rubštavicius joins an Auburn backcourt that returns starters Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton, added Vanderbilt transfer George Kimble III to be the backup point guard, and is also bringing back rising sophomore Simon Walker, who saw limited usage as a freshman after a preseason foot injury. Elyjah Freeman transferred out after finishing last season as Auburn's starter at small forward.
***********************
Auburn basketball recruiting news: Tigers get clarity on 1 international player, seeking clarity on another
By Andrew Hughes
Fly War Eagle
On Tuesday, the Auburn Tigers completed their 2026-27 roster with the addition of Mantas Rubštavicius, who projects as a potential point forward who's skilled athletic enough to keep up with American 2-guards. At 24, he has a mature physical profile. Rubštavicius could do it all on the floor, combining finesse with a bit of dog in him while attacking a crowded paint.
As 247Sports' Nate King revealed, Rubštavicius will be reporting to campus soon, but there's still a hold-up with the team's other notable international signing, seven-foot French center Narcisse Ngoy, a traditional big man whose game could use refinement.
"Rubštavicius was the last unsigned addition of Auburn's eight newcomers on this year's roster. French center Narcisse Ngoy has also yet to report to campus but signed back in April," King wrote.
Until reported otherwise, Ngoy's absence in Auburn should be treated as clerical. No need to fret just yet.
Ngoy owns a seven-foot-seven wingspan and good instincts for protecting the rim. While he may never develop Walker Kessler's offensive game, it's possible Ngoy matures into one of the most disruptive down-low defenders since the Atlanta-area North Carolina Tar Heels transfer transformed the Tigers into an SEC Championship team four years ago. Ngoy has a more impressive physical profile than Dylan Cardwell, but it would be a positive if he could give even half the effort Cardwell gave during his legendary career in Lee County, AL.
If/when Ngoy comes to campus, Auburn will have a legitimate NBA-caliber talent in tow. Ngoy was an NBA draft candidate this year before withdrawing his name and entering the collegiate realm and joining a new trend. International talents are taking over, and as ESPN's Jay Bilas recently told me in a conversation in promotion of NBC's 2026 American Century Championship, they've been here for a bit and are going nowhere.
As for Rubštavicius, if Pearl could find ways to utilize his versatility, the Lithuanian wing could be forced onto the floor as much as possible next to the team's two likely leading scorers next season, guards Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton. Like Ngoy, Rubštavicius is over 21 and is looking for an expedited path to the NBA. Rubštavicius already has some NBA experience, playing with the Golden State Warriors during the 2024 NBA Summer League. He hasn't played during the regular season and never signed a contract, though, allowing him to maintain his eligibility.
Steven Pearl is playing ball with college hoops' unclear rules
Now AU has guys who've been in NBA-adjacent locker rooms, facing legitimate NBA competition. Pearl is just playing ball in the modern era, since this is the way the sport is now. At the top of college basketball, at least.
North Carolina, the Duke Blue Devils, the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Kentucky Wildcats, the Texas Longhorns, the LSU Tigers, the Florida Gators, and the Illinois Fighting Illini are just a few of the programs that have taken to the international realm. By and large, that's great company to be in for anything in college basketball.
Pearl has arrived on the international scene, whether nearby schools that have neither the gumption nor the funds to compete like it or not. These players basically function as hardwood mercenaries, but so do the top one-and-done American recruits every cycle who are looking for a springboard to the NBA.
Whether you like it or not, the sport has changed, and Pearl has adapted with it. That's how business has to be done in the 2020s.
***********************
Auburn officially signs Mantas Rubštavicius of Lithuania
By Ted Feeley
Steven Pearl has rounded out his 2026-27 roster by landing a top European talent with the signing of Mantas Rubštavicius from Panevezys, Lithuania.
A 6-foot-6 guard, Rubštavicius joins the Tigers via Žalgiris Kaunas, which is the premier club of the Lithuanian Basketball League. He averaged 7.8 ppg, 2.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season in helping Žalgiris Kaunas finish 31-1 overall.
“We are excited to welcome Mantas to our program,” Pearl said. “Mantas comes from a strong basketball background and has developed into one of Europe’s most accomplished young players. He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways.”
Rubštavicius signed with Žalgiris Kaunas in 2018 and has spent the last eight years in the Lithuanian and Australian basketball league. In 2022, he averaged 7.1 ppg in the Lithuanian league and in 2023 he averaged 9.5 ppg in the Australian league playing for the New Zealand Breakers.
In 2024, he returned to Žalgiris Kaunas and was loaned to Lietkabelis where he averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He returned to the main club of Žalgiris in 2025.
Rubštavicius also has extensive experience representing his country on the national stage, having played for the Lithuanian National Team at the U16, U19 and U20 levels. He debuted for the Lithuania men’s national team in February of 2023.
In the 2022 FIBA U20 European Championship, Rubštavicius averaged 19.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, highlighted by a record-setting 38-point performance against France in the quarterfinals. Rubštavicius was the top scorer of that tournament and earned All-Tournament Team honors.
“Mantas embodies the qualities we prioritize in our program – skill, toughness, competitiveness and character. His international experience, winning mentality and a commitment to team success makes him an outstanding addition to our family and we are excited to see the impact he will have both on and off the court.
Rubštavicius rounds out an impressive signing class for Pearl and the Tigers. Below is a full list of 2026-27 signees:
2026-27 Signees:
Narcisse Ngoy – C – 7’0’’ – France/Union Poitiers Basket 86
Bukky Oboye – F/C – 7’1’’ – Houston Texas/Santa Clara
Adam Olsen – G/F – 6’8’’ – Surrey, B.C., Canada/South Alabama
Owen Freeman – F – 6’10’’ – Moline, Ill./Iowa/Creighton
Thomas Dowd – F – 6’8’’ – Dothan, Ala./Troy
George Kimble III – G – 6’2’’ – Tampa, Fla./Eckerd/EKU/Vanderbilt
Mantas Rubštavicius – G – 6’6’’ – Panevezys, Lithuania/ Žalgiris Kaunas
Caleb Williams – G – 6’5’’ – Tampa, Fla./Specially Fit Academy (incoming freshman)
***********************
Auburn Inks Lithuanian Guard Mantas Rubštavicius Amidst Eligibility Questions
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers’ basketball program has seemingly gone quiet after a flurry of top-tier pickups, but one key narrative was finally settled on Tuesday, when the university announced that it had officially signed Mantas Rubštavicius, a Lithuanian guard who had been committed to the Plains since May 15.
https://x.com/AuburnMBB/status/2069435235213738346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069435235213738346%7Ctwgr%5Ee66fa6b94317b9228d69b1d327ef229f66d28ddc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Fbasketball%2Fauburn-inks-lithuanian-guard-mantas-rubstavicius
“We are excited to welcome Mantas Rubštavicius to our program,” Auburn head coach Steven Pearl said in a statement. “He brings a unique combination of size, shooting ability, versatility, and basketball IQ that allows him to impact the game in a variety of ways. Just as importantly, he has earned a reputation as a selfless teammate, high-character individual, and proven winner…”
Tiger fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief with this news, as there was some questioning as to whether or not Rubštavicius would be eligible to play, given the NCAA’s new eligibility guidelines. Some feared that these guidelines would keep Rubštavicius out of the league, but now that he is signed, he is likely safe for the remainder of his collegiate career.
Rubštavicius, a former overseas pro, has played for the NZ Breakers in Australia’s NBL, Lietkabelis in the EuroCup and Zalgiris in the Euro League. He originally began his professional career in Lithuania.
The Tigers are set to look completely different in 2026, as they have lost top talent like Sebastian Williams-Adams, who committed to Vanderbilt, Filip Jovic, who committed to UCLA and Kaden Magwood, a former four-star recruit who has yet to find a new home. Additionally, the Tigers have lost Emeka Oporum, a high-upside center who missed most of the 2025 season with injury.
The Tigers are still set to keep some top talent, though, as standout sophomore guard Tahaad Pettiford has announced his intent to stay on the Plains, joining NIT MOP Kevin Overton as the Tigers’ two big-time keeps.
Additionally, Rubštavicius will join several fellow new Tigers, including former Big Ten Freshman of the Year forward Owen Freeman, 7-foot-1 Santa Clara transfer Bukky Oboye, Vanderbilt shooting guard transfer George Kimble, South Alabama transfer Adam Olsen and Thomas Dowd, who led the Sun Belt in rebounds in 2026.
The Tigers have also been working in recruiting, landing the aforementioned Narcisse Ngoy, a French seven-footer with professional basketball experience, as well as Caleb Williams, a three-star shooting guard in the class of 2026.
Despite the heavy roster shakeup, though, Auburn appears poised for a strong season with the roster building that Steven Pearl has been doing over the last few months. However, the team will need to build some chemistry this offseason, as much like last year, few of these players have played on the same roster before.
If Pearl can get all of these new acquisitions, as well as the returners, on the same page and working as a unit, the Tigers appear to have a roster that could make a deep push into the NCAA Tournament, even in its new expanded format.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages