TicketsThe latest episode of "Fresh Faces Presented by Kroger" introduces Bearcats Nation to UC men's basketball graduate transfer forward Rapolas Ivanauskas.
A decorated and proven newcomer to Cincinnati, Ivanauskas claimed Patriot League Player of the Year accolades as a junior at Colgate in 2018-19. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 43.2 percent from the field a year ago, including a 21-point, nine-rebound effort in an upset win over the Bearcats on Dec. 14, 2019 at Fifth Third Arena.
"I really enjoy the coaching staff here," Ivanauskus said. "I trust Coach (John) Brannen. I trust the coaching staff. I really like the guys and I think I've proven, at this level, that I can play with them. It helped that (my Colgate team) beat them last year."
"Rap comes to UC as an accomplished versatile big man," Brannen said when the big man signed with the Bearcats. "He has the ability to score all over the floor and will help stretch the defense with his shot making. He rebounds at a high rate and, like many of our young men, knows how to win coming from a championship program like Colgate."
Ivanauskas transferred to Colgate from Northwestern following the 2017-18 campaign. He was rated as a four-star prospect in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com and was tabbed the No. 5 recruit in the state of Illinois by ESPN.com coming out of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
"I'm most excited about going to war with these guys and playing those big-time teams and those big matchups," Ivanauskas said. "The style of play that we have and the players that we have, we have a good shot at winning and doing really well."
"Fresh Faces Presented by Kroger" will spotlight all Cincinnati men's and women's basketball newcomers leading up to the 2020-21 season.
A decorated and proven newcomer to Cincinnati, Ivanauskas claimed Patriot League Player of the Year accolades as a junior at Colgate in 2018-19. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 43.2 percent from the field a year ago, including a 21-point, nine-rebound effort in an upset win over the Bearcats on Dec. 14, 2019 at Fifth Third Arena.
"I really enjoy the coaching staff here," Ivanauskus said. "I trust Coach (John) Brannen. I trust the coaching staff. I really like the guys and I think I've proven, at this level, that I can play with them. It helped that (my Colgate team) beat them last year."
"Rap comes to UC as an accomplished versatile big man," Brannen said when the big man signed with the Bearcats. "He has the ability to score all over the floor and will help stretch the defense with his shot making. He rebounds at a high rate and, like many of our young men, knows how to win coming from a championship program like Colgate."
Ivanauskas transferred to Colgate from Northwestern following the 2017-18 campaign. He was rated as a four-star prospect in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports.com and Rivals.com and was tabbed the No. 5 recruit in the state of Illinois by ESPN.com coming out of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
"I'm most excited about going to war with these guys and playing those big-time teams and those big matchups," Ivanauskas said. "The style of play that we have and the players that we have, we have a good shot at winning and doing really well."
"Fresh Faces Presented by Kroger" will spotlight all Cincinnati men's and women's basketball newcomers leading up to the 2020-21 season.