Bulls rookie flashed true potential after the All-Star break

Matas Buzelis’ rookie campaign has been anything but conventional—but it might be just what he needed.

Selected 11th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls forward endured a slow start to his professional career, marked by limited minutes and a brief stint in the G League. 

Yet since the All-Star break, the 20-year-old has begun to blossom, showcasing the two-way upside that made him one of the most intriguing prospects in his class.

Buzelis began the season on the fringes of the rotation, averaging just 5.6 minutes across his first five NBA games. Head coach Billy Donovan took a cautious approach, balancing rookie development with team continuity. 

As a result, Buzelis was assigned to the Windy City Bulls for additional practice and game time. In his lone G League appearance on Jan. 3, he delivered an eye-catching stat line: 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and seven blocks. It was a glimpse of his all-around potential.

Since the All-Star break, Buzelis has averaged 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks in 26.7 minutes per game, while also starting regularly. He shot a respectable 36.1 percent from three-point range on nearly five attempts per game—evidence of a growing offensive arsenal.