Matas Buzelis Just Made an Emphatic Statement at Summer League
![Jun 26, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Matas Buzelis arrives for the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Jun 26, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Matas Buzelis arrives for the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5079,h_2856,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01j2vhcnwmpf5kg1g7d4.jpg)
The Chicago Bulls have embraced the need to rebuild. They have missed the playoffs in six of the past seven years, despite handing out big-time deals to Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.
Now that is DeRozan gone with both LaVine and Vucevic on the trade block, Chicago has fully embraced the youth movement.
The Bulls selected Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick and he's already making a positive statement during Summer League.
11th overall pick Matas Buzelis dropped 28 PTS in just his second #NBA2KSummerLeague game! π pic.twitter.com/DFWwtCYtRB
β NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2024
Bulls News: Matas Buzelis Is Torching in Summer League
The Bulls are down in Las Vegas and have played two games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors thus far.
Buzelis has showcased his ability to score from all three levels, draw contact to get to the free-throw line, and be a solid rebounder.
After dropping 15 points with seven rebounds on July 13 against the Milwaukee Bucks, Buzelis took a step forward in his latest outing.
On July 14 versus the Warriors, the 19-year-old finished with a game-high 28 points, five rebounds, two steals, and went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He puts the ball on the deck and thrives as a catch-and-shoot threat while finishing above the rim for a massive And-1 dunk.
Matas Buzelis RISES UP for the and-1 POSTER πͺ
β NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2024
He's up to 25 PTS in #NBA2KSummerLeague action on ESPN2! pic.twitter.com/ZngqLsxeoR
The hometown kid surprisingly fell down draft boards but has already displayed his positive mindset, thinking of the organization's success.
Even though it was just two games into his Bulls career, Buzelis looked the part of a high-ceiling NBA player. Last season for the G League Ignite, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game.
He really popped off the screen for Chicago in the first two summer league games. That is great news for management as this year will be about finding young and talented players who can be apart of the future.
And it looks like Buzelis will be involved in that equation.
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