One surprising rookie who could end up among the best from the 2024 class

His minutes have steadily increased, and his production has followed suit. The rookie has delivered multiple standout performances, surpassing 20 points on three occasions. His best outing came on Mar. 22 against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he erupted for a career-high 31 points, drilling five three-pointers. 

A week later, on Mar. 29, he delivered one of his most well-rounded performances of the season, recording 28 points, nine rebounds and six assists against the Dallas Mavericks. According to the Bulls, he became just the third rookie in franchise history to post such a stat line, joining Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley.

Since the All-Star break, Buzelis has averaged 26.7 minutes per game, posting 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one block per contest. His defensive impact has been particularly notable—he leads the Bulls in total blocks (66) and ranks first among rookie forwards in the category. His length and timing have drawn comparisons to established defenders, further solidifying his two-way potential.  

While Buzelis’ overall numbers may not be eye-catching just yet, his trajectory suggests he could be one of the most impactful rookies from the 2024 class. If his development continues at this pace, the Bulls may have secured a future cornerstone—one capable of shaping games on both ends of the floor for years to come.