Matas Buzelis

Buzelis is a Lithuanian-American forward who entered the NBA as a lottery pick in 2024 after a developmental route through prep schools and the NBA G League Ignite. Drafted by his hometown Chicago Bulls, he has shown flashes of scoring versatility, athleticism, and defensive potential as a young rotation player.

Born Matas Arvidas Buzelis on October 13, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois, he is the son of Lithuanian parents who played professional basketball in Lithuania before immigrating to the United States. He attended gymnastics and swimming schools as a child and was among the best breaststroke swimmers in Illinois for his age group.

Buzelis initially attended Hinsdale Central High School before transferring to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, where he was named the 2022 New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He was selected for the 2022 Nike Hoop Summit. He then transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas for his senior year, averaging 15.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three. He was a consensus five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American.

Buzelis chose to bypass college basketball and signed with the NBA G League Ignite on May 31, 2023. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He was selected to the 2024 Rising Stars Challenge and was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2024. He signed his rookie contract on July 2, 2024, and made his NBA debut on October 23. On February 4, 2025, he scored 24 points on 10-for-10 shooting in a win over the Miami Heat. He became the first Lithuanian player to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest in 2025.

Buzelis is a versatile forward with size, shooting touch, and defensive versatility. He handles the ball in transition, attacks closeouts, and has shown flashes as a stretch forward. His frame and athleticism suggest long-term potential as a two-way contributor, though his consistency and strength are areas of ongoing development.