Matas Buzelis, a Chicago native, experienced a highly emotional night on Wednesday when he was selected as the No. 11 overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2024 NBA Draft. This moment was particularly special for the forward, as he got teary-eyed upon hearing his name called and embraced his emotional family members in attendance. Immediately following the draft, Buzelis expressed his gratitude and excitement, emphasizing his readiness to work and fulfill his dream of playing for his hometown team.
Standing at 6-foot-9, Buzelis, a small forward, had played for the NBA G-League Ignite team in the previous season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Despite shooting under 30% from the 3-point line during his time with the Ignite, analysts like Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek praised his size, floor-spacing abilities, and ball skills in hand-offs and dribble drives.
Born in Willowbrook, Illinois, just a short distance from Chicago, Buzelis began his basketball journey at Hinsdale Central High School before transferring to Brewster Academy in New Hampshire and ultimately ending up at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas for his senior year. His Lithuanian roots are evident in his family background, with both his parents having professional basketball careers in Lithuania, where his father notably played in the Lithuanian Basketball League.