There must have been his future teammate Ron Holland and him, the others a step lower. Before the start of the season, Matas Buzelis was ESPN’s first theoretical “first pick” and his specialist Jonathan Givony for this 2024 Draft. Impressive in high school, the player with dual Lithuanian and American nationality had to offer a rare cocktail of tall creator, capable of punishing from afar, with room for physical progression certain. His ankle injury delayed his start to the season. His arrival among the professionals with a disappointing G-League Ignite team ultimately pushed him back down the hierarchy.
Without missing out completely in the NBA lobby, Matas Buzelis suffered from the transition between “high school” basketball, where he sometimes gave the impression of playing among children, and that of seasoned adults. and above all physically ready. The potential has not disappeared however, and this frustrating season could do him the greatest good for his arrival in the NBA by saving him a year of running-in on what he still has to work on.
Undoubtedly less complete offensively than expected, the 19-year-old remains one of the most complete attackers in this promotion, with added length. Above all, Buzelis shone where we didn't necessarily expect him to be so good, as a second defensive blade. Enough to blur the lines on its true register, and its absolute ceiling.
Profile
Job : winger / power forward
Size : 2m05
Weight : 90 kg
Team : G-League Unite
Stats 2023/24: 14.1 points (at 44.5%), 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists in 32 minutes
Strong points
– Defensive intelligence. He was supposed to be the offensive engine of the Ignite, he finished as the best blocker in a season in the history of the program. With 2.1 blocks per match, Matas Buzelis was very attractive in reading opposing attacks to come to the aid and serve as a last defensive rampart. He should adapt perfectly to the NBA, where defensive changes are numerous, and help on the off-ball side is often crucial.
– The attack without the ball. As in defense, it was without being in contact with the ball that he was most dangerous offensively. Matas Buzelis's reading of the game is remarkable, and he knows how to take advantage of two-handed takes on the ball carrier or bad rotations to create passing solutions and score easy points. His speed to get to the circle and his relaxation do the rest.
Weak points
– The 3-point shoot. While he seemed to have turned a corner during his last year in high school with 43.1% success behind the arc, the transition to pace and distance among the professionals brought him back to Earth (27.3%). The mechanics are good, but his actual shooting quality is increasingly questionable, with a weak 67.9% on free throws. It will take him at least some time before he becomes a dangerous shooter… If he becomes one at all. His mid-distance success and his shot on one leg à la Dirk Nowitzki suggest possible progression.
– The look. Here too, the transition to evolving with adults looked like a wall for Matas Buzelis. The Lithuanian-American clearly lacks power at this stage, and is not the most explosive at the start when dribbling, as well as finishing after contact (barely over 48% shooting). A good passer, his lack of strength, dexterity and speed with the ball frequently put him under pressure, preventing him from showing off his solid passing skills for a player of his size.
Comparison
Modern winger, capable of a lot on the pitch, Matas Buzelis recalls Franz Wagner upon leaving Michigan. His defensive instinct and a body under construction also suggest a young Andrei Kirilenko.
Prognosis
Between 4th and 10th place. If the podium now seems out of reach, a lower selection could relieve him of some pressure and give him more time to mature, like the Spurs (picks 4 and 8), the Blazers (pick 7), or even the Jazz (pick 10). A Chicago native, he could also push the Bulls to move up in the Draft.
