Matas Buzelis

Last updated

Matas Buzelis
No. 14–Chicago Bulls
Position Small forward / point guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2004-10-13) October 13, 2004 (age 19)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityLithuanian / American
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight209 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school
NBA draft 2024: 1st round, 11th overall pick
Selected by the Chicago Bulls
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–2024 NBA G League Ignite
2024–present Chicago Bulls
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Matas Arvidas Buzelis (born October 13, 2004) is a Lithuanian-American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2024 NBA draft.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Buzelis grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois. Both of his parents played basketball professionally in Lithuania before immigrating to the United States and settling in the Chicago area. [1] In his childhood Buzelis attended gymnastics school with his brother and sister, later in the same school he attended swimming and had the best results among under–10 and under–12 breaststroke swimmers in the state of Illinois. [2]

Buzelis initially attended Hinsdale Central High School and played on their sophomore team as a freshman. [3] He transferred to Brewster Academy, a boarding school in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, midway through the start of the first semester of his sophomore year after Hinsdale Central's basketball season was postponed due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] As a junior, Buzelis was named the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. [5] He was also selected to play for Team World in the 2022 Nike Hoops Summit. [6]

Buzelis transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas before the start of his senior year. [7] During his senior year, he averaged 15.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field, 42.4 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line. [8]

Buzelis was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. [9] He also took part in the Basketball Without Borders camp during the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend and was named the camp's MVP. [10]

Recruiting

Buzelis was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2023 class, according to major recruiting services. [11] He ultimately chose to play professionally for NBA G League Ignite. [12] [13] Buzelis had also considered playing college basketball for Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, and Wake Forest. [14]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Matas Buzelis
SF 		Chicago, IL Sunrise Christian Academy (KS)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)190 lb (86 kg)— 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A    Rivals: 5 stars.svg     247Sports: 5 stars.svg     ESPN: 5 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 93
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 4   247Sports: 7   ESPN: 5
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2023 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 17, 2023.

Professional career

NBA G League Ignite (2023–2024)

On May 31, 2023, Buzelis officially signed with the NBA G League Ignite. [15] [16] During the 2023–24 NBA G League season Buzelis averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. [17]

Chicago Bulls (2024–present)

Buzelis was selected with the eleventh overall pick by the Chicago Bulls during the 2024 NBA draft. [18] [19] He signed a rookie-scale contract with the Bulls on July 2, 2024. [20]

National team career

On July 21, 2022, Buzelis committed to the Lithuania men's national basketball team for international competitions. [21] [22] Later that year the Lithuanian Basketball Federation registered Buzelis in FIBA system as a member of the Lithuanian national team. [23]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

NBA G League

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2023–24 NBA G League 262632.0.448.273.6796.92.0.82.114.3

Personal life

One of Buzelis grandfathers, Arvydas Jankauskas, is a former basketball player and coach, while his other grandfather, Petras Buzelis, also is a former basketball player who debuted in Žalgiris Kaunas at 19 years old, later became Žalgiris Kaunas captain and won six Lithuanian League titles and three USSR Premier Basketball League bronze medals. [2] One of Buzelis grandmothers, Elena Buzelienė, is one of the all-time greatest Lithuanian handball players who won two European Champions Cups. [2]

Buzelis's mother, Kristina Jankauskaitė, played for Lithuanian youth basketball national teams and was one of the most promising basketball players of her generation. [2] Buzelis father, Aidas Buzelis, is a former basketball player who played for multiple Lithuanian Basketball League clubs and also worked as a massage therapist of the Lithuania men's national basketball team. [2] [24]

Buzelis is fluent in Lithuanian in addition to English. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Wright</span> American basketball player

Moses Anthony Wright is an American professional basketball player for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League (GBL) and the EuroLeague. He played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He is also known as Wright the Right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Miles</span> American basketball player (born 1987)

Calvin Andre "C. J." Miles Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. A native of Dallas, Miles was drafted in 2005 by the Utah Jazz after finishing high school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Arcidiacono</span> American basketball player

Ryan Curran Arcidiacono is an American professional basketball player for the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League. Nicknamed "the Arch of Dimes", he attended Neshaminy High School, where he averaged 20.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game as a junior to lead Neshaminy to the PIAA playoffs.

Egidijus Mockevičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player for Tainan TSG GhostHawks of the T1 League. He played college basketball for the University of Evansville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheick Diallo</span> Malian basketball player (born 1996)

Cheick Diallo is a Malian professional basketball player for the Osos de Manatí of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). Diallo was a five-star recruit and the MVP of the 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game. He played one season of college basketball for Kansas before declaring for the 2016 NBA draft, where he was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Bradley (basketball)</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Tony Lee Bradley Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the University of North Carolina (UNC). A 6'11 center, Bradley was a primary substitute for the Tar Heels' 2017 NCAA championship team. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft but traded to the Utah Jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac McClung</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Matthew "Mac" McClung is an American professional basketball player for the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was a consensus three-star recruit and among the highest-ranked high school players in Virginia. He is a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, just one win away from the record of three held by Nate Robinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Clemons (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Christopher Adam Clemons is an American professional basketball player who last played for SLUC Nancy of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for the Campbell Fighting Camels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Green</span> American basketball player (born 2002)

Jalen Romande Green is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a consensus five-star recruit and the best shooting guard in the 2020 class, with ESPN ranking him number one overall. He finished his high school career at Prolific Prep in Napa, California, and he chose to forgo college basketball to join the NBA G League Ignite team in its inaugural season. Green has won three gold medals with the United States at the junior level and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup. Green was selected by the Houston Rockets with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He is the third player in the NBA of Filipino descent, following Raymond Townsend and Jordan Clarkson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coby White</span> American basketball player (born 2000)

Alec Jacoby "Coby" White is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. White was a top high school player in North Carolina, finishing his career as the top prep scorer in state history. After being selected by the Bulls in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the seventh overall pick, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020.

Sharife Omar Cooper is an American professional basketball player for the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the Auburn Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Kuminga</span> Congolese basketball player (born 2002)

Jonathan Malanga Kuminga is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A consensus five-star recruit and the top small forward in the 2021 class, he chose to forgo his college eligibility and reclassify to the 2020 class to join the NBA G League Ignite. Kuminga finished his high school career at The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Todd</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Isaiah Todd is an American professional basketball player who last played for the NBA G League Ignite of the NBA G League. He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the best power forwards in the 2020 class. A former Michigan commit, Todd chose to forgo his college eligibility to become the first player in history to sign with NBA G League Ignite. He finished his high school career at the Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NBA G League Ignite</span> Basketball team in Henderson, Nevada

The NBA G League Ignite was a developmental basketball team in the NBA G League. Originally based in Walnut Creek, California with home games planned to have been played at the Ultimate Fieldhouse for their first two seasons, before moving to Henderson, Nevada for their final two seasons of existence, the team was designed to play exhibition games outside the G League's traditional scheduling as part of a one-year development program for elite National Basketball Association (NBA) prospects. Unlike other NBA G League rosters, its roster was primarily made up of both talented young prospects and veteran players meant to guide the younger prospects. The NBA G League Ignite was created on April 16, 2020, and was touted as an alternative to college basketball at the time, offering the young prospects salaries of up to $500,000 for time spent with them at a time when an average G League contract would be of lesser value by comparison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaden Hardy</span> American basketball player (born 2002)

Jaden Amere Hardy is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2021 class.

Sterling "Scoot" Henderson is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for Carlton J. Kell High School in his hometown of Marietta, Georgia, where he was a five-star recruit. At age 17, Henderson signed with the NBA G League Ignite after graduating early from high school and became the youngest player in G League history. In his second season, he was selected as a captain of the G League Next Up Game. Henderson was drafted as the 3rd pick in the 2023 NBA draft by the Blazers.

Leonard Miller is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for the NBA G League Ignite.

The 2022–23 NBA G League season was the 22nd season of the NBA G League, the minor league basketball league of the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the second consecutive season, the schedule was split into two parts: the 18-game Showcase Cup began on November 4, 2022, followed by a 32-game regular season tipped off on December 27. The Delaware Blue Coats defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 2–0 in the 2023 NBA G League Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overtime Elite</span> Basketball league based in Georgia, US

Overtime Elite is a basketball league for 16–20-year-olds, based in Atlanta, Georgia. The league is owned and operated by Overtime and was founded by Dan Porter and Zack Weiner.

Ronald Dewayne Holland II is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2023 class.

References

  1. ↑ Fowler, Chapel (May 17, 2022). "UNC basketball, Hubert Davis target 5-star recruit Matas Buzelis". The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Urbonas, Donatas. "Buzelių DNR: už Atlanto auga įžaidėjas, kokio Lietuvoje nesutiksi". 15min.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Future Illini? Hinsdale Central sophomore Matas Buzelis weighs an offer from Illinois — while waiting to play first varsity game". Chicago Tribune . October 18, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  4. ↑ Henricksen, Joe (November 3, 2021). "City/Suburban Hoops Report: The search for a No. 1 in 2023, two-sport powerhouses, prep school threats". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ "BREWSTER ACADEMY STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED GATORADE NEW HAMPSHIRE BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR" (PDF) (Press release). March 16, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  6. ↑ Vecenie, Sam (February 14, 2023). "Bronny James, DJ Wagner, 'JuJu' Watkins headline Nike Hoop Summit rosters". The Athletic . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  7. ↑ Bossi, Eric (October 6, 2022). "Sunrise Christian has reloaded for the 2022-23 season". 247Sports . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  8. ↑ Divens, Jordan (March 29, 2023). "2022-23 MaxPreps All-America Team: Cameron Boozer of Columbus headlines high school basketball's best". MaxPreps.com . Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  9. ↑ Fair, Daniel (January 24, 2023). "Wichita basketball player named McDonald's All-American". KSN.com . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  10. ↑ "M. Buzeliui atiteko prestižinės NBA stovyklos MVP apdovanojimas". Lrytas.lt (in Lithuanian). February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Kentucky, UNC, G League battle for top recruit Matas Buzelis". Lexington Herald Leader . June 8, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  12. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (June 24, 2022). "Sources: Five-star recruit Matas Buzelis chooses G League Ignite over college". ESPN.com . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  13. ↑ Conway, Tyler (June 24, 2022). "5-Star PF Matas Buzelis Commits to G League Ignite over Kentucky, Duke, More". Bleacher Report . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  14. ↑ Jones, Andrew (June 2, 2022). "UNC In Matas Buzelis' Top 5". Rivals.com . Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Matas Buzelis, projected top pick in 2024 NBA Draft, signs with G League Ignite". The Athletic . May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ "McDonald's All-American Matas Buzelis Signs With Ignite". NBA.com. May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Matas Buzelis". NBA.com. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Bulls pick Matas Buzelis at No. 11 in 2024 NBA draft". Chicago Tribune . June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ↑ Smith, Sam (June 27, 2024). "Matas Buzelis brings 'size, athleticism, versatility' to Bulls". NBA.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  20. ↑ Adams, Luke (July 3, 2024). "Bulls Sign Matas Buzelis To Rookie Contract". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Five-star recruit Matas Buzelis will represent Lithuania". BasketNews.com. July 21, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  22. ↑ LTU Basketball [@LTU_Basketball] (July 21, 2022). "BREAKING NEWS Matas Buzelis has committed to #LTUbasketball national teams and has been registered in FIBA system as Lithuanian" (Tweet). Retrieved January 28, 2024– via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "LKF vadovai: Matas Buzelis yra pilnateisis Lietuvos rinktinės narys". Lithuanian National Radio and Television (in Lithuanian). July 21, 2022. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Rinktinės masažuotojas – apie Kuzminsko ausis ir kūno "įjungimą"". DELFI (in Lithuanian). August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  25. ↑ Urbonas, Donatas (February 19, 2023). "MVP tapęs Matas Buzelis – apie žaidimą Lietuvos rinktinėje ir galingą duetą". BasketNews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved July 1, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.