The second newcomer to the 2026 Rice Basketball recruiting class has landed. Slovenian forward Tristan Vukotic has committed to the Owls.
Head coach Rob Lanier and his staff have long since proven they’ll search high and low, turning over every rock to ensure they get the best players on campus as possible. They had to go outside the country this time around, landing a pledge from an international player to bolster the 2026 Rice Basketball recruiting class. Slovenian forward Tristan Vukotic has committed to the Owls.
Vukotic has some positional flexibility and been listed at times as a wing, forward and guard. That versatility will come in handy as he transitions from Europe to college basketball. Vukotic most recently played in Slovenia with KK Perspektica Ilrija, averaging 7.1 points per game. He was a productive outside shooter, too, averaging 35.3 percent shooting from three.
He joins Charlotte transfer Jarne Elouna Eyenga as the two incoming members of the 2026 Rice Basketball recruiting class to this point, which should have room for a few newcomers to supplement the returning members of the roster.
More: Rice Basketball 2026 Roster Tracker
The 6-foot-6 forward showcases himself as an outside shooter on his highlight tape, something that will always come in handy given the style Rice basketball likes to play. He’s also more shifty and smooth than one might think for a player of his size.