Florida basketball has secured a commitment from 6-foot-10 forward Arturas Butajevas for the 2026-27 season. Coach Todd Golden expressed excitement about Butajevas' athleticism and potential fit with the team.
Key points
Florida basketball adds Arturas Butajevas to 2026-27 roster
Butajevas is a 6-foot-10 forward from Lithuania
Coach Todd Golden praised his athleticism and work ethic
He will start workouts with the team next summer
Mentioned in this story
Arturas ButajevasTodd GoldenLithuania
Florida Gators
Florida adds frontcourt talent with Arturas Butajevas' commitment
Florida basketball added forward/center Arturas Butajevas to its 2026-27 roster, coach Todd Golden announced on Monday. The 6-foot-10-inch forward from Lithuania will join the team as an incoming freshman next fall as the Gators round out their roster.
“We are very excited to have Arturas join our program,” Golden said. “He is a physical and athletic frontcourt player that has already proven to be highly capable during both international and youth competition. He is a hard worker who will fit seamlessly within our program upon arrival. We are looking forward to him arriving and starting workouts with our team this summer.”
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Lithuania and the Philippines at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Lithuania and the Philippines at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Q&A
Who is Arturas Butajevas and what position does he play?
Arturas Butajevas is a 6-foot-10 forward/center from Lithuania, recently committed to the Florida Gators.
What are the expectations for Arturas Butajevas at Florida?
Coach Todd Golden expects Butajevas to be a physical and athletic player who will integrate well into the team's program.
When will Arturas Butajevas join the Florida Gators?
Arturas Butajevas will join the Florida Gators as an incoming freshman for the 2026-27 season.
What did Coach Todd Golden say about Arturas Butajevas?
Coach Todd Golden stated that he is excited about Butajevas joining the program and highlighted his hard work and capabilities in competition.
Related Articles
Cricket·Recap
Six down for 13! Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hazlewood run riot as Delhi Capitals post lowest powerplay score in IPL history
Delhi Capitals suffer historic collapse with lowest powerplay score in IPL!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Why Pat Riley will never let the Heat tank, plus why Miami will be 'aggressive as hell' to improve roster
Pat Riley vows to stay with the Heat and improve the roster aggressively.
CBS Sports Headlines··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Kirian lanza a Las Palmas a los playoffs... y al Cádiz al descenso
Kirian brilla con dos goles y lleva a Las Palmas a los playoffs, mientras el Cádiz se complica con el descenso.
Marca··1 min read
NBA
NBA Co-Rookie of the Year? How Cooper Flagg-Kon Knueppel debate could add to history of ties, closest races
NBA Rookie of the Year race heats up: Flagg vs. Knueppel!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Jim Tracy, from Badin HS, watches son Chad's debut as Red Sox manager
Jim Tracy watches son Chad's debut as Red Sox manager in a win
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL·Feature
Favorite picks from the Packers' 2026 draft class
Key Picks from the Packers' 2026 NFL Draft Class Revealed
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Spain and Lithuania at Ahmet Comert Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-8 match between Lithuania and Canada at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Lithuania and the Philippines at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Lithuania and the Philippines at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Lithuania and the Philippines at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on June 29, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Group A match between Spain and Lithuania at Ahmet Comert Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-8 match between Lithuania and Canada at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 6, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
8 / 8
Florida adds frontcourt talent with Arturas Butajevas' commitment
Arturas Butajevas, #11 of Lithuania in action during the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup - Turkiye 2024 Class 5-6 match between Puerto Rico and Lithuania at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by ALTAN GOCHER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)
Butajevas was a standout on Lithuania's national team, averaging 13.9 points and 9.3 rebounds at the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket before putting up 15.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in 2025-26 for Unicaja Malaga's (Spain) U22 team as a 19-year-old.
Before that, he competed in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, in which he earned All-Star Second-Team honors after averaging 14.4 points and 11.3 rebounds. Butajevas also participated in the 2023 FIBA U16 European Championship, in which he scored 15.6 points and grabbed 9.9 rebounds per game.
The addition of Butajevas to the Orange and Blue continues the program's recent trend of seeking talent from outside of North America's borders. Current standouts Alex Condon and Urban Klavžar were originally from overseas — both plucked directly from foreign leagues — as were reserves Alex Kovatchev and Viktor Mikic. Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu was also born abroad and arrived in Gainesville by way of Washington State.
The other foreign players brought to Gainesville during Golden's tenure were center Aleks Szymczyk (2022) from Germany and guard Kajus Kublickas (2023) from Lithuania.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
