Arizona State Lands Elite Transfer Portal Target

On3's Pete Nakos was the first to report that Murauskas had signed with the Sun Devils on an official basis, which closed roughly a month of speculation that the two sides would unite.

Arizona State on SI explores the ramifications of adding Murauskas below.

Arizona State Positioned To Compete in 2026-27

Murauskas is a consensus top-10 player in the transfer portal after earning All-WCC First Team honors in his junior season in Moraga, underscoring the caliber of player Bennett is bringing in. The Sun Devils beat out powerhouse programs such as UConn, Louisville, and Duke for his services as well, setting the stage for a team equipped to make an NCAA tournament push next season.

Murauskas is a well-rounded player who primarily does damage out of the post, but he has also demonstrated an ability to put the ball on the floor and has steadily improved as a shooter over the years.

The 6'8" power forward is an optimal fit alongside Arizona State's PG addition in Joel Foxwell, in what is another major boost for the team going into next season. The guard-forward duo will be deadly in the pick-and-roll game, as well as in Bennett's pack-line defense. All in all, the addition of Murauskas is a definite statement that the Sun Devils are ready to win now - especially keeping in mind that the Big 12 will be overhauled to an extent heading into the new season.

What's Next for ASU?

As of Tuesday, Bennett has two players who are set to return from the 2025-26 team (Bryce Ford, Vijay Wallace), while Murauskas is the fifth player to join the team via the transfer portal.

JRob Croy is a four-star commit as part of the 2026 class, which leaves seven more open spots on the team for next season. Expect a few more portal additions, players who decide to withdraw and return to Arizona State, and the program taking flyers on international players.

Does Murauskas signing with ASU open the door even more for a Massamba Diop return? It's far from a guarantee, but it is definitely something to monitor, as Diop's chances of a return grow each day he remains on the market.