2024 NBA Draft: What Are the Chicago Bulls Getting in Matas Buzelis?

The Chicago Bulls used the No. 11 overall pick in Wednesday's 2024 NBA Draft to select the G-League Ignite wing Matas Buzelis . The 19-year-old grew up as a Bulls fan in the suburb of Hinsdale as his parents settled in Illinois after they retired from playing basketball professionally in Lithuania.

Buzelis elected to attend Brewster Academy in New Hampshire instead of playing ball at Hinsdale Central High School. At Brewster, Buzelis shined and was named Gatorade New Hampshire Player of the Year during his junior season. He then transferred to Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas and was named a McDonald's All-American.

NBA scouts held Buzelis in high regard entering the 2024 draft with many considering him a possible top-five pick and a consensus top-10 prospect after his time with the G-League Ignite.

Matas Buzelis Scouting Report

With a 6-foot-9 frame and an impressive 38-inch vertical leap, Matas Buzelis brings size and athleticism to a Bulls roster that needs it and can affect the game in many different ways. Buzelis is at his best in transition as he can use his size and speed to score at the basket or pull up and hit a jump shot from anywhere, making him a headache for those having to gameplan against him.

Buzelis averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in the NBA's G League last season. Despite failing to become a consistent shooter (44.8 percent from the field and a lackluster 27.3 percent from three), Buzelis impacted the game defensively and became a legitimate rim protector and on-ball defender, averaging over three steals/blocks per game.

The Bulls snagged Buzelis after he fell to No. 11, which could be related to his skinny frame and lack of a consistent shooting touch.

"He is a really talented player who must improve his jump shot to make it in the league," a former NBA scout told On Tap Sports Net. "If he learns to shoot it and gains weight and strength, the rest of his game will come along very nicely."

The scout also mentioned that the Bulls could be a good landing spot for the young wing as he "will take time to develop" and must "learn to shoot it" at the NBA level. Currently, the team isn't in a position to compete for championships, allowing for developmental growing pains.

Matas Buzelis Player Comparison

Matas Buzelis shares many similarities with the Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner .

Wagner, who's only 22, entered the league with many of the same issues Buzelis is set to encounter. However, Wagner has progressed into one of the best young players in the league and enjoyed his best season in 2023-24 when he averaged over 19 points per game.

Chicago Bulls Outlook

Bulls' executive Arturas Karnisovas has struggled to significantly improve his roster via the draft since taking over operations in 2020. Patrick Williams is a player with potential but hasn't developed as quickly as many fans had hoped. Dalen Terry has played sparingly since being drafted as a first-round pick. Last year's second-round pick, Julian Phillips, hasn't seen much action.

Karnisovas's best selection as the leader of the Bulls has been Ayo Dosunmu, a second-round pick in 2021. Dosunmu primarily impacts the game on defense but has shown to be a reliable offensive option off the bench.

The hope for Bulls fans is that Buzelis, at his floor, can be a player similar to Dosunmu with his ability to impact the game on defense. If he continues to grow and develop his jump shot, Buzelis could be viewed as a steal for the Bulls in a few years.

It's still early to call the pick a home run, but as of now, Bulls fans should be thrilled with the team's 2024 first-round draft pick.

Related: Fans React to Chicago Bulls Selecting Matas Buzelis

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