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Paulius Murauskas named to Big 12 Starting Five of the Week

The senior forward was dominant last week, helping the Sun Devils get off to a 2-0 start.

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Paulius Murauskas named to Big 12 Starting Five of the WeekPaulius Murauskas named to Big 12 Starting Five of the Week
Emma Jeanson

Paulius Murauskas sizes up a defender in Arizona State's 75-65 season-opening win over East Tennessee State

by Connor Smith

IRVING, Texas - Sun Devil sophomore forward Paulius Murauskas has been selected to the Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Starting Five, the league announced Monday.

Murauskas put together one of the most productive weeks for any player in the league, excelling in dominant wins over East Tennessee State and Northern Colorado. For his efforts, he is one of five players named to the Big 12 Conference 'Starting Five' of the Week, the weekly award instituted by the league prior to last season.

Big 12 Starting Five of the Week: Paulius Murauskas
The Big 12 Starting Five of the Week for games running Nov. 2-8 included Sun Devil forward Paulius Murauskas. The preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Karl Malone Award Watch List selection left quite the impression on Sun Devil fans in his debut week in Maroon and Gold.

Murauskas helped the Sun Devils pick up a pair of double-digit victories to open the Randy Bennett era. He was absolutely dominant this week, showing why many project him as an All-American candidate and potential NBA Draft pick. Murauskas averaged 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 36.5 minutes per game while shooting 58.1% (18/31) from the field and 84.2% (16/19) from the free-throw line. Murauskas is one of only six Big 12 players to have a 30-point game so far this season.

The Kaunas, Lithuania native becomes the fifth Sun Devil to claim a weekly conference award in the Big 12 and 37th overall. A Sun Devil has received a weekly conference award on 57 occasions.

Big 12 Starting Five - 11/9
Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona
Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Robert Wright III, BYU (Player of the Week)
Dior Johnson, UCF
Miles Sadler, West Virginia (Freshman of the Week)

Like Ike
Murauskas has 54 points through the first two games of the season (21 points vs. ETSU, 33 points vs. Northern Colorado). That is the most points by a Sun Devil through two games since Ike Diogu had 56 through the first two contests of the 2004 campaign.

Most Combined Points

Through First Two Games
Ike Diogu2004

Ike Diogu

56 total points

24 points; 32 points
Paulius Murauskas2026

Paulius Murauskas

54 total points

21 points; 33 points

Sun Devil Debut

  • The highly-touted transfer class brought in by Bennett and his staff lived up to expectations in the season-opening win over East Tennessee State.
  • The crown jewel of that class, Paulius Murauskas, showed Sun Devil fans what he is capable of by posting a 21-point, 9-rebound effort.
  • He played over 39 minutes, only subbing out in the final minute of the contest.
  • His physicality and high IQ allowed him to get to the FT line frequently while simultaneously putting ETSU's front line in foul trouble.
  • Murauskas showed off his knack for drawing contact, finishing 11-of-12 on the night. The 12 free throw attempts by Murauskas were the same as ETSU had as a team (8-of-12).
  • It was his 22nd career 20-point performance.
  • A season after scoring 10 or more points in 30 of 33 games, it took Murauskas less than a half to reach double-digits scoring in his first game with Arizona State.
  • He was one of only seven Big 12 players to have 20+ points on opening night

Paulius Murauskas Highlights vs. ETSU | 2026-27 Monster Energy Big 12 Men’s Basketball

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"There is a reason everyone in the country wanted him when he entered the portal. He is one of the most talented players in the country. So far, what I have been most proud of has been his leadership. He is holding his teammates accountable and setting a tone with his play on the court. We think he can play even better as he gets more comfortable with this roster."

Randy Bennetton Paulius Murauskas
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ASUMBBvsETSU20261102-EJ-75
vsNCU--261106-EJ-71
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Career-best performance

  • Following his 21-point Sun Devil debut, Murauskas backed it up by setting a new career-high in scoring in a dominant 90-63 win over Northern Colorado on Friday.
  • Murauskas finished with 33 points on 13-of-18 (72.2%) shooting, completing the fourth 30-point performance of his career.
  • As a team, ASU shot 53.8% and scored 90 points for the first time since posting 100 on Washington State at the 2025 Maui Invitational.
  • Murauskas entered the game with over 1,100 career points, the most of any Sun Devil.
  • He added to that total with a monster performance against the Bears, scoring 33 in only 33 minutes.
  • Murauskas is one of only six Big 12 players to have a 30-point game so far this season.
  • He set a new career-high in scoring, breaking the previous mark of 32 he set with Saint Mary’s at Pacific on February 14, 2026.
  • He was 13-of-18 (72.2%) from the field, also setting a new career-high with 13 made field goals.
  • That is tied for the most made by a Big 12 player in a single game this season (Dior Johnson, UCF).
  • Murauskas added a pair of steals, showing his skill on both ends of the court.

Paulius Murauskas Highlights vs. Northern Colorado | 2026-27 Monster Energy Big 12 Men's Basketball

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"I couldn't have put up those numbers without the support of my teammates. I have enjoyed building chemistry with them the past few months and it has paid off in the first two games. We have a bunch of guys that work extremely hard and want to win. The recognition wouldn't be possible without them."

Paulius Murauskason his first week as a Sun Devil

Murauskas' Stats 11/2 - 11/9

Points per game27.0

T-2nd in Big 12

Rebounds per game7.0

3rd on Team

FG%58.1

5th in Big 12 (min. 30 att.)

Minutes per game36.5

1st in Big 12

Milestone watch

  • 7 games away from having played in 100 games in his career (currently at 93)
  • 54 points shy of 1,200 career points (currently at 1,146)
  • 40 rebounds shy of 600 career rebounds (currently at 560). That is the 56th-most among active DI players
  • 25 made free throws shy of 300 career free throws made (currently at 275)

Game Recaps

Paulius Murauskas' career-high 33 leads ASU past Northern ColoradoPaulius Murauskas' career-high 33 leads ASU past Northern Colorado
Men's Basketball

Paulius Murauskas' career-high 33 leads ASU past Northern Colorado

The Randy Bennett era begins with a victoryThe Randy Bennett era begins with a victory
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Paulius Murauskas lands on Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch ListPaulius Murauskas lands on Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List
Men's Basketball

Paulius Murauskas lands on Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List

Paulius Murauskas named Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the YearPaulius Murauskas named Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Men's Basketball

Paulius Murauskas named Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year

Follow Paulius Murauskas on Social Media

How to say Paulius Murauskas

PAUL-is Murr-OW-skiss

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