Xavier's Gytis Nemeiksa reacts after a score by Abou Ousmane during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Houston, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

HONOLULU — University of Hawai’i men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot announced the addition of former Xavier forward Gytis Nemeikša (GHEE-tiss neh-MEEK-shuh) to the 2024-25 Rainbow Warriors roster. A native of Kaunas, Lithuania, Nemeikša has one year of college eligibility remaining.

The 6-8, 220-pound forward started 20 games in his lone season at Xavier, while facing elite competition all year both in non-conference and Big East play. Nemeikša got out of the gates quickly. He posted a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) in his collegiate debut versus Robert Morris and a week later notched 10 points and seven rebounds at Purdue. In the very next contest, he poured in a season-high 20 points versus Washington.

Nemeikša started 11 of his 20 games in Big East contests. That included logging 10 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of action versus two-time national champions UConn. Nemeikša finished the year averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 36 percent on three-pointers.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Gytis into our program,” Ganot said. “Gytis is impressive in every way and promises to make an immediate impact. He’s an established player who played against the best teams in the country for a terrific Xavier program. He’s strong, tough, and can play inside and out. His talent, work ethic and team-first mentality, along with his strong character, makes him a great fit for our program, our university and our state. Please join us in welcoming Gytis into our ‘ohana.”

Prior to coming to the United States, Nemeikša attended Bypaupas Magnes University and from 2020-23 played on the developmental squad for Zalgiris Kaunas, which competes in Lithuania’s National Basketball League.

Nemeikša is the third Division I transfer to sign with UH this spring, joining Houston Christian guard Marcus Greene and former Utah Tech and Idaho center Tanner Christensen. High school standouts A.J. Economou and Aaron Hunkin-Claytor signed with UH during the early period last fall.