As the NBA draft approaches closer, a name that has popped up in everyone’s mind is that of Matas Buzelis. Surprisingly, an NBA G League Ignite star Buzelis occupies the fourth spot in the NBA mock draft. Chances are if he retains this place even in the original NBA draft 2024, Buzelis might get a chance to pair up with Victor Wembanyama.

But before the 19-year-old takes major steps in the NBA, let’s have a look at who he is since not many details are known about him. It would come as a surprise to many but Buzelis chose G league over offers from reputed colleges such as Kentucky.

Matas Buzelis has basketball run in his genes

Buzelis was born on October 13, 2004, to immigrant parents in Chicago. Though not many details about Buzelis’s parents are known, the Lithuanian-American athlete had basketball in his genes since both his parents plied their balling trade professionally. Buzelis grew up loving sports as a result and extended his excellence not just to basketball but also to swimming and gymnastics as a kid.

Buzelis went to a gymnastics school along with his brother and sister and also fared exceptionally well in swimming. He had one of the best outcomes in under-10 and under-12 swimming in Illinois. This also might explain the fact how he got his agility which in turn helped him to make open spaces even when screened by muscular defenders. Buzelis’s high school journey is as interesting and also a little shaky since he transferred twice.

At first, Buzelis attended the Hinsdale Central High School. Despite being a freshman, Buzelis was given a chance to represent the sophomore team. However, Buzelis couldn’t continue for long since the onset of the pandemic brought its own set of challenges and Buzelis couldn’t ply his trade for long. He then transferred to the Brewster Academy where he smoked an exceptional 11.4 points per contest with 5.9 rebounds per match. He also got a chance to play in the Nike Hoop Summit.

Buzelis then in his senior year went to the Sunrise Christian Academy. He maintained his on-song performances and smoked a brilliant 15.7 points per game with 5.6 rebounds per contest. And ultimately chose the Nike G Elite ahead of offers from Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, and Wake Forest.

Matas Buzelis NBA G League and the subsequent steps

After sousing an average of 14.3 points per match with 6.9 rebounds per game, Buzelis also made waves with his shooting prowess. He potted 44.5% field goals and 27.3% free throws. Therefore, he balanced his offensive game with his defensive skills. In July 2022, he also inked a deal with the Lithuania basketball team to represent them at the international level. This again shocked everyone since athletes usually want to represent the USA which has one of the best basketball players.

Recently, he made headlines when a mock draft recommended that Buzelis would be drafted by the the San Antonio Spurs. Considering his athleticism and ability to trick heavy players, Buzelis is a perfect choice for the Spurs and can pair up well with Victor Wembanyama, who is good with shooting and using his height but falls short in front of muscular guys.

If he is chosen by the Spurs, he will be able to assist Wembanyama and look for open spaces when the latter is screened by defended. Buzelis’ name coming up in the NBA draft is a testament to how he is faring well in following the American Dream seen by his parents after they immigrated from Lithuania.

Since Buzelis doesn’t play college basketball and also chose the Lithuanian men’s basketball team over the American college basketball roster, he is still to have as large a fan following as other college basketball stars. But hopefully, with time Buzelis will stun all with his gameplay when he gets drafted in the NBA.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.