Arizona's Azuolas Tubelis to enter NBA draft
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) shoots over Princeton forward Caden Pierce (12) during the second half of a first-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 16, 2023. Princeton won 59-55. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas) Credit: AP/José Luis Villegas
TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona's second-team All-American forward Azuolas Tubelis will enter the 2023 NBA draft.
Tubelis told ESPN of his plans on Thursday and he is not expected to return to the Wildcats.
The Lithuanian big man had a breakout season in 2022-23, earning second-team All-America honors from The Associated Press after averaging 19.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting 57% from the floor.
Arizona won a second straight Pac-12 championship this season to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but lost to No. 15 seed Princeton in the first round.
A 6-foot-11 forward with good touch, Tubelis is projected as a likely second-round NBA draft pick.
Arizona also lost point guard Kerr Kriisa from last season's team after he entered the transfer portal and signed with West Virginia.
