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Gators add Lithuanian forward Arturas Butajevas to a loaded men’s basketball roster
TL;DR
Florida Gators signed Lithuanian forward Arturas Butajevas, enhancing their men's basketball roster. The 19-year-old brings European skills and experience from FC Barcelona's youth program.
Key points
- Florida signed Lithuanian forward Arturas Butajevas
- Butajevas is nearly 6-foot-10 and versatile
- He averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in EuroLeague Under-18 tournaments
- He developed his skills with FC Barcelona's youth program
- Butajevas joins a deep and experienced Gators team
Mentioned in this story
FC Barcelona
Arturas ButajevasFlorida Gators
GAINESVILLE — Florida signed Lithuanian forward Arturas Butajevas, the Gators announced Monday, adding talent with an international flair to an already deep and experienced men’s basketball roster.
Butajevas, who turned 19 on March 27, arrives with a prototypical European skill set at nearly 6-foot-10. Long, fluid and versatile, he developed in Spain with FC Barcelona’s respected pipeline.
Across four EuroLeague Under-18 tournaments with Barcelona Bàsquet, Butajevas averaged 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 15 games (12 starts), shooting 60.6% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. His blend of size, touch and mobility fits the modern frontcourt mold and gives Florida another intriguing piece to develop.
Seeking more opportunity, Butajevas moved to Malaga in Spain’s newly formed U-22 league, where he not only logged consistent developmental minutes but also broke through to see time with the club’s top team.
He joins Todd Golden’s Gators team that is not lacking experience or firepower.
All-SEC forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon are set to return for their senior seasons. On the perimeter, shooting guard Denzel Aberdeen is back after a season at Kentucky, teaming with returning starting point guard Boogie Fland and SEC Sixth Man of the Year Urban Klavzar.
Florida’s depth extends further. Orlando brothers Isaiah Brown and AJ Brown return after redshirting following transfers from Ohio University, while former top-40 recruits Alex Lloyd and CJ Ingram add scoring punch and athleticism to a crowded rotation.
One key question remains: the status of 6-foot-10, 265-pound center Rueben Chinyelu. The Nigerian standout is exploring professional options, including the NBA Combine (May 10–17 in Chicago), after leading all power-conference players with 11.2 rebounds per game and setting a school record with 19 double-doubles.
Regardless of Chinyelu’s decision, Butajevas is a young, skilled forward with international polish who will join a top title contender.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Q&A
What are Arturas Butajevas' stats from EuroLeague Under-18 tournaments?
Arturas Butajevas averaged 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 15 games, shooting 60.6% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
How tall is Arturas Butajevas and what position does he play?
Arturas Butajevas is nearly 6-foot-10 and plays as a forward.
What impact will Arturas Butajevas have on the Florida Gators basketball team?
Butajevas adds depth and versatility to the Gators' already experienced roster, fitting the modern frontcourt mold.