EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball standout, and 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Arnas Sakenis has signed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Miami Heat.
Sakenis will begin his Summer League action with the Heat next week in California.
Sakenis is the first-ever SIUE player to take part in the NBA Summer League.
While at SIUE, Sakenis began his SIUE career as a walk-on for Head Coach Brian Barone before progressing into the OVC's best defensive player in four seasons, graduating as the program's all-time leader in blocked shots with 160.
"Arny's selection to the Miami Heat Summer League team is a well-deserved accomplishment and a reflection of the work he has put in every single day during his four years in our program," Barone said. "Arny embodies what it truly means to have a 'FIND A WAY' mentality. He arrived at SIUE with a willingness to be coached, a commitment to getting better, and a team-first mindset that never wavered."
As a senior he led the league with 75 blocks, a program record at the Division I level and second most all-time at SIUE. His 2.34 blocks per game ranked 11th in the NCAA.
Sakenis was a major contributor to SIUE's OVC Championship team as a junior in 2024-25. He scored 10 points while adding four blocks in two games in the OVC Tournament before scoring five points and adding four blocks in the Cougars' March Madness debut against top-seeded Houston.
His offensive prowess blossomed as a senior, where he averaged 8.8 points per game overall. His production jumped to 10.7 points per game in league contests. After a previous career-high of nine points in a game, Sakenis turned in 16 double-digit scoring games as a senior, culminating in a 19-point output at Southeast Missouri January 17. His rebounding improved each season, as he finished with an average of 4.9 as a senior and 3.5 for his career.
"I am proud to see how he has developed as a player and as a man," Barone added. "To see him earn an opportunity with an organization like the Miami Heat is incredibly rewarding for everyone associated with our program. Arny leaves as one of the most impactful players in SIUE history, and we are excited to watch him continue to chase his dream at the professional level."
