Arminas Vilkas, a 6‑9, 215‑pound forward from Kaunas, Lithuania, has officially signed with the University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball team for the Class of 2026. The announcement marks the latest addition to a roster that has already begun to reshape its identity on the national stage.
International résumé
Vilkas spent the previous season with Lietuvos Rytas in the Lithuanian NKL, where he averaged 9.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. His performances earned him the Most Valuable Player award at the 2025 NextGen EuroLeague qualifier tournament and a 14‑point, 12‑rebound showing at the 2025 FIBA Next Gen Hoops Invitational. He has also represented Lithuania at the senior level, appearing in the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket and earlier competitions such as the 2024 U18 EuroBasket, the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, and the 2023 FIBA U16 European Championship.
Coach’s endorsement
Skyhawk head coach Jeremy Shulman praised Vilkas as a versatile player who can dribble, pass, shoot and defend. "His skill set translates well to the NCAA game, and we’re excited to see how he will complement our existing core," Shulman said in the official release.
A promising class
Vilkas joins a 2026 signing class that features talent from multiple countries, a group that helped the Skyhawks tie for the most single‑season victories in program history with 22 wins and achieve top‑10 rankings in four statistical categories during the 2025‑26 season. The coaching staff believes the blend of international experience and domestic development will keep UT Martin competitive in the Ohio Valley Conference.