Motiejus Krivas

Motiejus Krivas
No. 13 – Arizona Wildcats
PositionCenter
LeagueBig 12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2004-12-01) December 1, 2004
Šiauliai, Lithuania
NationalityLithuanian
Listed height7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
Listed weight260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
College
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2019–2023Žalgiris Kaunas
2019–2023→BC Žalgiris-2
Career highlights

Motiejus Krivas (born December 1, 2004) is a Lithuanian college basketball player for the Arizona Wildcats of the Big 12 Conference.

Early life and career

Krivas was born and grew up in Šiauliai, Lithuania.[1] He began playing for BC Žalgiris-2 of the National Basketball League (NKL) in 2019.[2] Krivas averaged 13.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 assists during the 2022–23 season and was named the NKL's best defender.[3] He also played for the senior team, Žalgiris Kaunas, in Lithuanian Basketball League and EuroLeague games.[4] Moreover, he played for the Boston Celtics in five games during the 2023 Basketball Without Borders young players program.[5]

College career

Freshman season

Krivas committed to play college basketball in the United States for the Arizona Wildcats.[4] He averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game as a freshman while primarily serving as the backup to Oumar Ballo.[6][7]

Sophomore season

Krivas entered his sophomore season as the Wildcats' starting center following Ballo's transfer to Indiana.[8] Nevertheless, he played in just first eight games of the season before suffering a season-ending foot injury.[7][9] His averages were 7.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.[7]

Junior season

Krivas entered his third season with the Wildcats being projected as one of the primary players of the team and appeared in the starting five in all 31 games of the NCAA regular season during which he averaged 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, one assist, 0.7 steals and 1.8 blocks.[10][11] He has significantly contributed to his team winning the Big 12 Conference and was selected to the First Team and All-Defensive Team of the Big 12 Conference.[12][13][14] The Wildcats also became champions of the 2026 Big 12 men's basketball tournament where they defeated UCF Knights, Iowa State Cyclones, Houston Cougars and during it Krivas was Wildcats starting five center averaging 7.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks per game.[11][15]

National team career

Krivas has played for the Lithuania men's national under-18 and under-19 basketball teams and the under-20 team.[5][16] His best performance statistically in the FIBA's youth tournaments was in the 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship where among his peers he averaged 13.6 points, 13.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 blocks per game (his efficiency points average per game was 22.3), however in the playoffs Lithuania was eliminated 64–61 in the quarterfinal by hosts and upcoming finalists Turkey.[5][17]

Player profile

Krivas is noted for his capabilities in interior defense and post scoring.[18] Due to his height and playing style he received a nickname "Mount Krivas".[13][19]

References

  1. ^ Wohl, Aidan (January 3, 2024). "Motiejus Krivas is improving while adjusting to his new life in the USA". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  2. ^ Rissotto, Ignacio (July 17, 2024). "Player Spotlight: Motiejus Krivas - The next Lithuanian giant". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Oficialu: "Žalgirio" talentas pasirinko NCAA – kelsis į prestižinį universitetą". 15min (in Lithuanian). May 16, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Givony, Jonathan (May 16, 2023). "Top international prospect Motiejus Krivas commits to Arizona". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Motiejus Krivas". FIBA. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  6. ^ Conahan, Jon (September 15, 2024). "Arizona Basketball Star Named Top-Ranked Returning College Player". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Motiejus Krivas - Men's Basketball". University of Arizona.
  8. ^ Pascoe, Bruce (September 25, 2024). "Arizona Wildcats handling center Motiejus Krivas with caution as full practices underway this week". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  9. ^ "Krivas Emerges as a Player to Watch in Upcoming Season". Sports Illustrated. 21 September 2025.
  10. ^ "2025-26 Men's Basketball Cumulative Statistics". University of Arizona. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  11. ^ a b "Motiejus Krivas Career Stats". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  12. ^ "No. 2 Arizona tops Iowa State to win outright Big 12 title". ESPN.com. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  13. ^ a b "Krivas užsitikrino pirmąjį titulą, lietuviui – komplimentų gausa ir nauja pravardė". BasketNews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  14. ^ "2026 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Men's Basketball Awards Unveiled". Big12sports.com. 9 March 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  15. ^ "Arizona gets revenge, tops Houston to win Big 12 championship". ESPN.com. 15 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  16. ^ Pascoe, Bruce (July 12, 2024). "Arizona big Motiejus Krivas teammates again with Paulius Murauskas in U20 EuroBasket event". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  17. ^ "Motiejus Krivas - Lithuania - Player profile - 2022 FIBA U18 European Championship". FIBA. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  18. ^ Rissotto, Ignacio (17 July 2024). "Player Spotlight: Motiejus Krivas - The next Lithuanian giant". FIBA.
  19. ^ "No. 1 Arizona, No. 3 Purdue tangle in Indy". CBS Sports. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
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