Texas basketball brings back Matas Vokietaitis for 2026-27 after the standout center posted 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and a strong NCAA Tournament run.
Texas basketball got a major offseason win with Matas Vokietaitis officially set to return for the 2026-27 season.
For a Longhorns team looking to stay in the national conversation, bringing back one of the SEC’s most productive big men gives Sean Miller a proven centerpiece to build around right away.
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Vokietaitis made a massive impact in his first year in Austin. The 7-footer from Lithuania averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 66.9 percent from the floor.
He started 36 games and quickly became one of the most reliable frontcourt players in the conference, especially as he grew more comfortable in Texas’ system.
That growth showed up in the biggest moments. During the NCAA Tournament, Vokietaitis delivered 49 points and 27 rebounds across three games, giving the Longhorns a steady force in the paint during their deep March run.
His most dominant showing came against BYU in the Round of 64, when he pulled down 16 rebounds and helped control the interior on both ends.
That kind of production is exactly why Miller made him such a priority. Vokietaitis isn’t just a solid returning starter.
He’s the kind of player who changes how a roster is built. When a team has a center who can score efficiently, rebound at a high level and handle heavy minutes, everything else gets easier.
Texas still has work to do as it shapes the rest of the roster for next season, but one major question has already been answered. The Longhorns know who will anchor the middle.
If Vokietaitis takes another step forward as a junior, Texas could once again field one of the toughest lineups in the SEC.
At minimum, the Longhorns are bringing back a battle-tested center who already proved he can produce against elite competition, and that gives them a strong foundation heading into 2026-27.
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