Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | Murauskas Named Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year Finalist
3/13/2026 10:05:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BOSTON, Mass. — After leading the West Coast Conference in points scored throughout the 2025-26 season, Saint Mary's junior forward Paulius Murauskas has been named a finalist for the 2025-26 Lou Henson Award. The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the top player in mid-major in college basketball. This is the second time in as many years that Murauskas has been named a finalist for this prestigious award.
Murauskas led the charge for the Gaels' offense all season long, averaging 18.8 points per contest. He became the first Gael since Jordan Ford in 2019-20 to surpass the 600 point mark in a single season, and is the first Gael since Logan Johns (2022-23) to lead the WCC in points scored. The Kaunas, Lithuania native scored in double figures in 30 of 32 games for the Gaels, logged seven double-doubles, and twice scored 30+ in a game, doing so against Seattle U (Jan. 4) and Pacific (Feb. 14). On top of his impressive scoring numbers, Murauskas finished second on the team, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game, third averaging 2.2 assists per game, and led the conference with 198 free throws attempted and 166 free throws made.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, IN, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship. This award has been won once by a Saint Mary's Gael with Matthew Dellavedova taking home the 2012-13 honor.
#GaelsRise
Murauskas led the charge for the Gaels' offense all season long, averaging 18.8 points per contest. He became the first Gael since Jordan Ford in 2019-20 to surpass the 600 point mark in a single season, and is the first Gael since Logan Johns (2022-23) to lead the WCC in points scored. The Kaunas, Lithuania native scored in double figures in 30 of 32 games for the Gaels, logged seven double-doubles, and twice scored 30+ in a game, doing so against Seattle U (Jan. 4) and Pacific (Feb. 14). On top of his impressive scoring numbers, Murauskas finished second on the team, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game, third averaging 2.2 assists per game, and led the conference with 198 free throws attempted and 166 free throws made.
The recipient of the annual award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com. The 2026 award will be announced in Indianapolis, IN, site of the men's Division I Basketball Championship. This award has been won once by a Saint Mary's Gael with Matthew Dellavedova taking home the 2012-13 honor.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballMBB | Saint Mary's vs. Santa Clara Highlights, 3-9-26
Monday, March 09
MBB | Mikey Lewis Highlights vs Gonzaga, 2-28-26
Sunday, March 01
MBB | Mikey Lewis Postgame TV Interview Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga, 2-28-26
Saturday, February 28
MBB | Josh Dent and Mikey Lewis Postgame Interview vs. Gonzaga, 2-28-26, presented by University Credit Union
Saturday, February 28
