Butler G/F Simas Lukosius is entering the transfer portal
The Butler men's basketball team's offseason of sweeping changes continues as sophomore guard/forward Simas Lukosius becomes the latest Bulldog to enter the transfer portal.
Lukosius joins Jayden Taylor, Chuck Harris, Pierce Thomas, Myles Tate and Myles Wilmoth as players to enter the transfer portal. Starting center Manny Bates entered his name into the NBA Draft while retaining his eligibility.
With Eric Hunter Jr. exhausting his eligibility, D.J. Hughes, Connor Turnbull, Ali Ali, Jalen Thomas and John-Michael Mulloy are the only returning players remaining on the roster. Ali and Thomas were the only returning players to start games last season and the only returners recruited to Butler by coach Thad Matta.
Insider: What does a Thad Matta team look like? We're about to find out in portal hunting
With incoming freshmen Finley Bizjack and Boden Kapke joining the program, Butler has six open scholarships to fill for the 2023-24 season. Brazilian forward Augusto Cassia is expected to sign with Butler once the National Letter of Intent window opens April 12, reducing the open scholarship number to five.
Losing Lukosius is a big blow to the program. The 6-7 Lithuania native averaged 11.6 points per game. Lukosius led the Dawgs in made 3-pointers (59) and assists (92). He had a breakout performance against Villanova scoring a career-high 28 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Lukosius ended his Butler career with his second 20-point performance of the season -- third of his career -- scoring 23 points in a loss to St. John's in the Big East tournament.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler men's basketball: G/F Simas Lukosius entering transfer portal
