Deniusas Equals UT Martin Record With Sixth OVC Freshman Of The Week Mention
12/22/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Ohio Valley Conference selected Matas Deniusas as its men's basketball Freshman of the Week today as the University of Tennessee at Martin frontcourt phenom continues to rack up the accolades.
Today's mention is the sixth OVC Freshman of the Week honor of the season for Deniusas, who previously won the award on Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. The 6-9, 220-pound forward is now tied with Marquis Weddle (2007-08) for the most OVC Freshman of the Week accolades in Skyhawk history.
Deniusas helped UT Martin to a road split in its first two OVC matchups of the season, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing. He also sank 84.6 percent (11-for-13) of his free throw attempts.
In Thursday's narrow 78-71 setback at Tennessee State, Deniusas dialed up a team-high 17 points, career-best nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Two days later at Tennessee Tech, he contributed 16 points, a career-high four assists, three rebounds and a steal to help lead the Skyhawks to an 86-62 triumph.
A Vilnius, Lithuania native, Deniusas ranks eighth in the OVC in free throw percentage (.779), 12th in points per game (14.1), 18th in three-point field goals per game (1.4) and 18th in blocked shots (0.7 per game). The only UT Martin player to have started in all 13 games, he is shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range while adding 4.6 rebounds per contest.
The Skyhawks are currently off for Christmas break before hosting Western Illinois for their OVC home opener on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Today's mention is the sixth OVC Freshman of the Week honor of the season for Deniusas, who previously won the award on Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. The 6-9, 220-pound forward is now tied with Marquis Weddle (2007-08) for the most OVC Freshman of the Week accolades in Skyhawk history.
Deniusas helped UT Martin to a road split in its first two OVC matchups of the season, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing. He also sank 84.6 percent (11-for-13) of his free throw attempts.
In Thursday's narrow 78-71 setback at Tennessee State, Deniusas dialed up a team-high 17 points, career-best nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Two days later at Tennessee Tech, he contributed 16 points, a career-high four assists, three rebounds and a steal to help lead the Skyhawks to an 86-62 triumph.
A Vilnius, Lithuania native, Deniusas ranks eighth in the OVC in free throw percentage (.779), 12th in points per game (14.1), 18th in three-point field goals per game (1.4) and 18th in blocked shots (0.7 per game). The only UT Martin player to have started in all 13 games, he is shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range while adding 4.6 rebounds per contest.
The Skyhawks are currently off for Christmas break before hosting Western Illinois for their OVC home opener on Thursday, Jan. 1.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballSkyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 17
Tuesday, December 16
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 16
Tuesday, December 09
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 15
Tuesday, December 02
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 14
Tuesday, November 25