Paulius Murauskas Followed His Coach to Arizona State and Nobody's Talking About What That Means
Paulius Murauskas is done waiting. The 6-foot-8 Lithuanian forward just announced he's leaving Saint Mary's to join Randy Bennett at Arizona State, and honestly, this move tells you everything about what matters to a portal player in 2026: it's not always about the money.
Bennett got the Arizona State job on March 23, hired to replace Bobby Hurley. Within weeks, Murauskas posted on Instagram that he was following his coach to the desert. "I followed my heart and chose the place where I trust the people and feel valued not just as a player, but as a person," Murauskas wrote. "I want to finish my college journey with the people who made the last two years so amazing and helped me become who I am now as a person and a player."
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This isn't some unknown kid chasing a paycheck. Murauskas saw limited action as a freshman at Arizona, but absolutely exploded at Saint Mary's. As a junior, he averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making the NCAA tournament twice with the Gaels. He was one of the most sought-after players in the portal with several offers on the table. He picked Bennett.
Bennett's First Major Move at ASU
This is Bennett's first big addition since taking over the program. Murauskas becomes the early centerpiece of a rebuild that needs firepower. The Sun Devils are getting a tested tournament player who had legitimate options elsewhere but chose loyalty and trust over the highest bidder. That's the kind of mentality that builds something real.
Murauskas had it right in his post: "A lot of people think decisions in the transfer portal are only about money, but for me it is about people." In an era where portal moves are dissected for dollars, that feels like something different. Arizona State just landed a talented forward who wanted to be there. Next question: who else does Bennett bring in to complement him?
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