Victor Wembanyama now in the NBA, the basketball world is waiting for only one thing: to find his “successor”, for the unofficial title of best “prospect” of the orange ball. And from next season, on the side of the now highly rated Team Ignite in the G-League, a first candidate will present itself to the basketball world: Matas Buzelis.
Born in Chicago, of Lithuanian parents, the 18-year-old winger, who has also chosen to represent the Baltic country for future international competitions, is indeed one of the attractions of the 2024 Draft, of which he is currently tipped as the potential first choice. And he is also, and above all, a basketball star.
” High school is fun, but it’s boring. I remember sitting in my seat and being in my thoughts thinking only of basketball. ‘How do I make this gesture?’ ; ‘Which players should I watch on YouTube?’. School really wasn’t my cup of tea. », thus ensures the young Lithuanian-American winger, for GQ. ” And it’s not a lack of respect towards my teachers, it’s just that it was not made for me! Some of my teachers quickly understood that, and respected that. Some young people want to become doctors. Not me. »
A clear goal, and no regrets
What Matas Buzelis wants is to become a professional basketball player. Famous, ideally. ” I want to enter a normal store, and that the players recognize me. I know that if my basketball speaks for itself, it will come very quickly. he adds, with an honesty so disconcerting that it is refreshing.
And in an attempt to become a famous basketball player, the future Team Ignite player in the G-League “sacrificed” his adolescence, changing high schools three times to constantly seek the ideal context to progress.
An assumed choice, and not particularly regretted, on the contrary. ” I don’t think I had a normal childhood. In any case, compared to others my age, not at all. But that’s what I want, that’s what I’ve dreamed of since childhood. To be interviewed, to be noticed. So why step back? I want it all, I signed up for it all. he continues, always with the same unfiltered honesty, before giving an example. ” Not long ago, I was at my cousin’s wedding. And I was setting, wondering what I was doing there. It was weird for me, like I was not in my environment. Everyone was dancing, I couldn’t. That’s how I’m not normal. »
Become professional as soon as possible
On the other hand, on the ground, Matas Buzelis is in his element. It is on the boards that he makes his best memories. Or should we even rather say, and he recognizes it himself, his only best memories.
” It’s an addiction, a drug. It’s so much fun “, he confides. ” In training, I’m extremely focused, I don’t laugh anymore. Even if I was the best player in the world, I would still like to improve. Sometimes, if I haven’t trained, I sleep badly at night. I HAVE to play basketball. It’s a bit crazy, honestly. »
And finally, the native of Chicago to summarize his personality, his state of mind and his vision of things by explaining his choice to join the G-League at the start of the school year, rather than the NCAA.
” I received quite a bit of criticism after choosing the G-League. Why is it a problem ? The goal is to be professional in the end », Concludes Matas Buzelis, pragmatically. ” I think people absolutely wanted to see me in the university environment. But that’s not worth a professional environment, where you rub shoulders with professional players and coaches. It is there that my game can take a step forward. »
