Bulls select Matas Buzelis at No. 11 overall in 2024 NBA Draft

(670 The Score) The Bulls selected 6-foot-10 forward Matas Buzelis with the No. 11 overall pick in the NBA Draft on Wednesday evening.

The 19-year-old Buzelis played for the G League Ignite this past season, averaging 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32.0 minutes across 26 games. The G League Ignite were the prospect-laden team in the G League that offered money and a different path to the NBA for the top young talent, but the team struggled mightily last season and has since been shuttered as NIL money has made the college game more appealing.

Buzelis has Chicago ties, growing up in the area and playing at Hinsdale Central as a freshman in high school before transferring to a prep school in New Hampshire during the COVID pandemic.

“I’m blessed man, this is what I wanted,” Buzelis said on the ESPN broadcast after being selected. “I wanted to be here.

“I’m ready to work.”

Scouts laud Buzelis for his feel for the game, passing, defensive versatility and motor. A big question mark for Buzelis is his perimeter shooting, as he shot 27% on 3-pointers this past season.

"I feel like I bring a lot of things to the table," Buzelis said. "Whatever the coach tells me to do, I'm going to do that to the best of my abilities.

"I need to work on getting stronger. That's going to come eventually. Shooting, I'm working on shooting a little more. What translates (in my game)? Blocking shots, pushing the ball in transition, getting right into our offense, being a good teammate."

The Bulls evaluated Buzelis in a private workout in Los Angeles in the pre-draft process.

"I didn't expect to actually be here," Buzelis said. "Now that I'm here, I'm very excited."

The Bulls’ addition of Buzelis is another sign toward the organization taking a step back and/or embarking on a rebuild, as Chicago passed over Providence guard Devin Carter and Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht, a pair of players who are better prepared to be immediate contributors. The Bulls took a first step toward a youth movement when they traded veteran guard Alex Caruso to the Thunder last week for 21-year-old point guard Josh Giddey.

Cody Westerlund is an editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund .