Texas Basketball Adds $4 Million Anchor to Support Vokietaitis

Texas basketball enters the 2026-27 season with a frontcourt designed to eliminate the size disadvantage that plagued the program last year.

The team will open its regular season on Monday at 8 p.m. against Chicago State at Moody Center. The roster now features three players taller than 6-foot-8 who are expected to play significant minutes. These players are Matas Vokietaitis, David Punch, and freshman Marcus Spears. This grouping gives the Longhorns the physical presence to compete with elite programs in the SEC and nationwide.

Coach Sean Miller hired Punch to free Vokietaitis from the defensive pressure he faced previously. Vokietaitis, a 7-foot, 255-pound junior from Lithuania, averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in his first season at Texas. He often had to defend against double teams. Punch, a 6-7, 245-pound transfer from TCU, signed with Texas for a reported $4 million per year. His presence allows Vokietaitis to focus on rim protection rather than fighting for position on every possession.

Vokietaitis was the only player on last year's 21-15 squad taller than 6-foot-8 who played at least 400 minutes. That isolation is no longer the plan. Miller stated that the combination of Vokietaitis, Punch, and Spears creates a unique depth. He noted that this size profile matches teams that typically survive deep into March tournaments. The new roster includes 11 new faces, comprising five transfers and six freshmen.

The coaching staff is also working on Vokietaitis' decision making in the paint. He ranked second in the SEC with 7.9 free-throw attempts per game last season. Miller wants the center to rely on his physicality rather than seeking contact through flopping or begging for calls. Vokietaitis shot 61.9% from the field and 66.9% from the free-throw line in his debut year. The goal is for him to be fouled simply by being big and effective on both ends of the floor.

Punch brings a different skill set that complements Vokietaitis' style. The power forward, who averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds at TCU, possesses a jump shot that stretches defenses. His cooler demeanor also helps regulate the energy on the court. Vokietaitis described Punch as a gift to the team. He said he is grateful for Punch's presence and that the pair is ready to form the best frontcourt in the country.

Miller cited his conversations with the late Bill Walton when discussing Vokietaitis. Walton distinguished between big men who play because of their height and those who play because they love the game. Miller believes Vokietaitis falls into the second category. The coach noted that Vokietaitis maintained a body fat percentage of about 5.5 to 6% over the summer. He called the center a hard worker who pours his energy into the sport. Miller expects Vokietaitis to become one of the best centers in college basketball this year.