SEC Scouts Men's Basketball Player of the Week: Matas Vokietaitis, Texas

Vokietaitis Named SEC Scouts Player of the Week

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Texas Longhorns sophomore center Matas Vokietaitis has been named the SEC Scouts Men's Basketball Player of the Week. The 7-foot, 255-pound force from Marijampolė, Lithuania, receives the honor based on his dominant and consistent performance throughout the 2025-26 season.

While the Longhorns were idle this past week, Vokietaitis's body of work has established him as one of the premier big men not only in the Southeastern Conference but in the entire nation.

Season-Long Dominance

Though Texas did not have any games on the schedule this week, Vokietaitis's season-long impact is undeniable. In his first year with the Longhorns after transferring from Florida Atlantic, he has started all 26 games and has been a critical component of the team's success.

His season totals paint a clear picture of his value on both ends of the floor. Vokietaitis is averaging just under 12 points per game (302 total) and leads the team with 135 rebounds, including 47 on the offensive glass. He has been an efficient scorer, shooting an impressive 60% from the field on 130-for-217 shooting. His defensive presence is equally significant, evidenced by his 18 blocks on the season.

He has proven to be a reliable anchor in the paint, playing 510 minutes and demonstrating his durability and importance to the Longhorns' game plan. His consistency has been a key factor in Texas navigating a competitive schedule.

Key Moments of the Season

Several performances this season have highlighted Vokietaitis's impact. On December 8th, he poured in a career-high 28 points in a victory over Southern, making all 14 of his free-throw attempts. Another notable performance came against Ole Miss, where he scored 27 points on a highly efficient 9-of-11 shooting from the field.

Perhaps his most commanding performance came on the national stage during the NCAA Tournament. In a first-round victory against the BYU Cougars, Vokietaitis delivered a monster game with 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, with nine of those coming on the offensive end. This performance was instrumental in the Longhorns' advancing and showcased his ability to elevate his game when the stakes are highest. He followed that up with a 17-point, 9-rebound effort in a win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

What It Means for Texas

The emergence of Vokietaitis as a dominant interior force has been a game-changer for the Texas Longhorns. His ability to score efficiently in the post, command the boards, and protect the rim gives Texas a significant advantage in the paint. His physical play and high motor consistently generate second-chance opportunities and disrupt opposing offenses.

As Texas heads into the latter part of their schedule, his performance will be critical to their success in a tough SEC and for their positioning in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns finished the regular season with a 21-14 overall record and a .500 record in conference play.

Player Quote

"I'm honored to receive this recognition, but it's really a reflection of my teammates and the work we all put in together. My focus is just on doing my job every day, whether that's in practice or a game—rebounding, defending, and being a presence inside. We know what our goals are as a team, and I'm just trying to do my part to help us get there."

Looking Ahead

After a week off, the Texas Longhorns will look to build on their recent momentum. Their upcoming schedule features critical conference matchups that will have major implications for their standing. Following a strong run in the NCAA tournament, which saw them win games against NC State, BYU, and Gonzaga, the Longhorns are poised for a strong finish to the season. Vokietaitis's continued high-level play will be essential as they face formidable opponents down the stretch.