Arizona finalizes roster with European prospect Paulius Murauskas - ESPN

Paulius Murauskas, one of the top European prospects in his age group, has signed a letter of intent with the Arizona Wildcats, he told ESPN on Wednesday.

«My decision to go to the NCAA is all about improvement,» Murauskas told ESPN. «Especially physical improvement to be able to compete in high-intensity games. Personally, I think that this will be the best place for my further development as a person and as a basketball player.»

The 6-foot-9 forward from Lithuania led the FIBA U18 European Championship in scoring last summer at 20.7 points per game, finishing second in player efficiency ranking (PER) behind MVP Izan Almansa.

Murauskas was identified as a top-tier prospect in Lithuania from an early stage, making his first division debut with his home club of Zalgiris already as a 16-year old. He brings a wealth of experience for a player his age, playing 61 games at the pro level in the EuroCup and Lithuanian first division this season, averaging 6 points and 3 rebounds in 15 minutes per game, shooting 68% from 2-point range and 34% for 3. He played up as a 17-year old on loan in the first division with Nevezis last season, averaging 8.4 points in 20 minutes per game, a rarity at this level of competition.

Murauskas offers significant mismatch potential at the college level with his strong frame and excellent ball-handling, shot-creation and passing ability despite standing 6-foot-9, seeing minutes at both forward spots this past season for Lietkabelis, who finished in fourth place in Lithuania. He brings a level of physicality you don't often see from players his age, attacking defenders relentlessly pushing off the defensive glass and getting to the free throw line prolifically everywhere he's played.

«I think that