Rhode Island basketball gets commitment from Lithuanian forward
Matas Deniusas is a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 2025-26 at Tennessee Martin.
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. Deniusas is a Lithuania international who has represented his country at the U17 and U18 levels.