Rhode Island basketball gets commitment from Lithuanian forward

The University of Rhode Island’s second men’s basketball commitment of the week out of the transfer portal should offer some immediate frontcourt impact.

Matas Deniusas pledged to the Rams through a post on his Instagram account Thursday afternoon, the Rookie of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference during his lone season at Tennessee Martin.

Deniusas is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 2025-26. He hit for double figures 24 times and netted at least 20 points three times, including 25 in a win over Charleston Southern. Deniusas closed sixth in his league in blocked shot percentage and connected at 33.6% from 3-point range, hitting multiple times from beyond the arc in 13 games.

Deniusas selected URI ahead of Atlantic 10 rival Richmond and Minnesota. He also held reported interest from George Mason, Seton Hall, Kansas State and more. Deniusas took a recent visit with the Rams and ultimately decided to spend the 2026-27 season in Kingston.

Matas Deniusas of the UT Martin Skyhawks shoots against Ladji Dembele of the UNLV Rebels in November. Deniusas has pledged to URI for the upcoming season.

Deniusas is a Lithuania international who has represented his country at the U17 and U18 levels. His most recent tournament was the FIBA EuroBasket last summer, and Deniusas averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds over six games. He needed just 20 minutes to rack up 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in an impressive outing against North Macedonia.

Deniusas played professionally in his home country with BC Rytas Vilnius II, appearing in 41 games in the 2024-25 season. His eight double-figure outings included 17 points in his last playoff game, and Deniusas shot 36.8% from 3-point range. He elected to leave for the NCAA ranks and signed for a Skyhawks program that closed 22-11 overall and 13-7 in the OVC last season.