A New Era for the Sun Devils
Arizona State University’s basketball program has secured a commitment from a 7‑foot‑1 Serbian center, Filip Malesevic, who is currently under contract with FMP Beograd and will celebrate his 21st birthday in August.
Malesevic’s size and experience in the Serbian league add a rare interior presence to the Sun Devils, who have been searching for a dominant big man to complement their perimeter threats.
The recruiting class, recently ranked 10th overall by 247Sports and first in the Big 12, also welcomes two former Saint Mary’s standouts, Paulius Murauskas and Dillan Shaw, both of whom thrived under coach Randy Bennett before entering the portal.
Murauskas, a Lithuanian native who ranked among the top ten portal prospects, brings a versatile skill set, while Shaw offers a proven track record of production in the West Coast Conference.
The roster will also retain guards Bryce Ford and Vijay Wallace, giving the team continuity at the backcourt as they integrate the new additions.
Among the returning big men, Ajak Nyuon, Ben Defty and Nate Garcia provide depth, with Nyuon having represented Team Australia at the 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup, underscoring his international pedigree.
Coach Randy Bennett, who guided both Murauskas and Shaw at Saint Mary’s, is expected to bring his defensive philosophy to Tempe, aiming to translate that success into the Pac‑12 schedule.