Tag: Matas Buzelis

Matas Buzelis: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’10 | 6’10 WS | 209 LBS Team: G League Ignite Agent: Michael Tellem Best aggregate mock draft rank: 2 / Worst rank: 8 In 2023-24, Buzelis averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game. He shot 44.8 …

2004 | 6’10 | 6’10 WS | 209 LBS

Team: G League Ignite

Agent: Michael Tellem

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 2 / Worst rank: 8

In 2023-24, Buzelis averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game. He shot 44.8 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from three, and 67.9 percent from the foul line.

His parents, Kristina and Aidas, both played basketball professionally in Lithuania.

Spurs select 19-year-old, 6-10 forward in latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft

In a recent NBA Mock Draft, the San Antonio Spurs picked up Matas Buzelis with a top-10 pick.

While this season may not have gone to plan for the San Antonio Spurs, having Victor Wembanyama on the roster should be enough to keep fans excited about the future. And on top of that, they should have a top pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. And if the Toronto Raptors’ pick falls out of the top six, they’ll get that selection, too.

In a recent NBA Mock Draft compiled by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Raptors’ pick falls to seven, meaning the Spurs get to make two selections in the top 10. That would be a game-changer for the future of the organization and the potential timeline of a Wembanyama-led core.

With the seventh overall selection, Vecenie has the Spurs taking Matas Buzelis of the G League Ignitte – a 19-year-old, 6-10 forward.

“This is earlier than I would personally select Buzelis, but the feedback I get from scouts has been more positive than his overall numbers would indicate, given he’s averaging 13.0 points with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio and a true shooting percentage below the league average,” Vecenie wrote. “Much as they do with Holland, many evaluators are giving Buzelis the benefit of the doubt for the G League’s Ignite’s poorly constructed roster, especially at the guard positions.

“Scouts would love to see Buzelis do more as a shot creator, and they aren’t sure how well his on-ball defense will translate. But many have also appreciated the way Buzelis is settling into a role with the Ignite and playing more intelligently. Buzelis doesn’t try to do too much. He cuts sharply on offense and has impressed scouts with timely off-ball rotations, particularly around the rim, where he’s averaging 1.8 blocks per game. In the open court, he attacks in a way that makes many sense his long-term upside as a ballhandler and scorer. There’s some downside risk in taking Buzelis this high, but it appears unlikely he gets outside of the lottery and is consistently mentioned in the No. 4-12 range.”

Would Buzelis be a good fit next to Wembanyama? Or should the Spurs look elsewhere if they got this Raptors pick?

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NBA Rising Stars 2024: Bennedict Mathurin unanimously named MVP to lead Team Jalen to title

Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship.

Indiana Pacers sophomore Bennedict Mathurin on Friday was unanimously named MVP of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game to lead Team Jalen to the championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mathurin produced 18 points in the opening game as Team Jalen defeated Team Tamika. He had four points, two assists and one steal in a 26-13 win in the final over Team Detlef, which consisted of seven of the top players in the G League.

While Mathurin did the bulk of the scoring in the semifinal round, Dereck Lively II had six points and Jordan Hawkins and Jalen Williams each chipped in five points in the final. Williams drained the game-winning 3-pointer to end it for Team Jalen.

The event featured four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games were played to a target score of 40, and the championship game was played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consisted of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches and the players from the G League were selected by the league office.

The four teams were coached by Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who led the G League team.

Here is how the teams performed in the event.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Full rosters revealed in draft announcement

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the four seven-player teams for the 2024 NBA Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams. The seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Here are the rosters drafted by Gasol, Catchings and Rose.

2024 NBA Mock Draft: Latest first-round projections at midway point of season

Rookie Wire took a look at the 2024 NBA draft class and where the top prospects stand as of Feb. 1.

The top NBA draft prospects worldwide have collectively reached the second halves of their respective seasons as they look to showcase themselves in front of scouts and executives.

The class this year has seen several players help their stock, while others have struggled and fallen down draft boards. Some players have also dealt with recent injuries and other factors that have prevented them from reaching their potential.

The draft is widely considered open at the top of the board, with several prospects in the conversation to be the first selection. Unlike last year, when Victor Wembanyama was the consensus No. 1 pick, there is no clear-cut choice this year.

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Prospects will continue to see their standing fluctuate over the remaining two-plus months of action on the court as scouts have more time to evaluate them. The sheer unknown atop the draft board should create plenty of storylines to follow over the remainder of the season.

The NBA announced on Wednesday that the draft will be expanded to a two-night format, with the first round set to take place on June 26 at the Barclays Center. The second round will be at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York the following night.

Rookie Wire looked at the class and where the top prospects stand at this point of the season. The order was determined by the reverse order of the NBA standings as of Feb. 1.

Note: Player fit wasn’t necessarily taken into account with each pick. Pick protections and other notes courtesy of Tankathon.

NBA Rising Stars 2024: Player pool revealed for annual showcase at All-Star Weekend

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 at All-Star Weekend.

The NBA on Tuesday unveiled the list of 28 players set to participate in the annual Rising Stars game on Feb. 16 as part of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The event will feature four seven-player teams competing in a three-game tournament for the third straight year. The two semifinal games will be played to a target score of 40. The championship game will be played to a target score of 25.

The pool of players for the game consists of 11 rookies, 10 second-year players and seven players from the G League. The 21 players in the NBA will be drafted onto three teams and the seven players in the G League will comprise the fourth team.

The players from the NBA were selected by assistant coaches. The players from the G League were selected by the league office. Each team submitted a rookie ballot and a sophomore ballot featuring four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players of any position.

Hall of Famer Pau Gasol will return as one of the four honorary head coaches for the event. Joining Gasol are Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings and former Indiana Pacers standouts Jalen Rose and Detlef Schrempf, who will lead the G League team.

Assistant coaches from the NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs will join the honorary head coaches in coaching the Rising Stars teams. The NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs for both the Eastern and Western Conferences have yet to be determined.

TNT will televise the competition beginning at 9 p.m. EST.

Matas Buzelis caps career night with game-winning shot for Ignite

Matas Buzelis produced a career performance and hit the game-winning shot on Tuesday to lead the Ignite over the Remix.

Projected top-five pick Matas Buzelis produced a career performance and hit the game-winning shot on Tuesday to lead the G League Ignite over the Rip City Remix.

Buzelis finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks in the 108-106 victory. He went 6-of-8 from the field as the Ignite overcame a 22-point second-half deficit to improve to 3-9 in the Showcase Cup.

Playing in his fourth game, Buzelis showed his offensive versatility from his dribbling and hesitation moves to his footwork in the paint. He sank the game-winner on a nifty 12-foot turnaround jumper with 0.4 seconds left.

Buzelis missed the first eight games of the regular season with the Ignite due to an ankle injury. He debuted with the team on Dec. 2 but was on a minute restriction. He appears to be back to full health after logging a season-high 30 minutes against the Remix.

The 19-year-old was the fifth-ranked prospect in the class of 2023 and is viewed as a high lottery pick next year. Standing at 6 feet, 10 inches, Buzelis has a great blend of size and ballhandling skills that seem to be translating in the G League.

Buzelis is averaging 13 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and one steal on 48.7% shooting from the field. He has scored in double figures three times and looks to be rounding into form after missing time.

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Matas Buzelis: Choosing the G League over college was the best choice for me

The NBA community is marveling at Victor Wembanyama, but next year’s draft promises fresh talent too, including Matas Buzelis. Buzelis is bypassing college to play for the G League Ignite, honing his skills for the NBA jump. The potential No. 1 …

The NBA community is marveling at Victor Wembanyama, but next year’s draft promises fresh talent too, including Matas Buzelis. Buzelis is bypassing college to play for the G League Ignite, honing his skills for the NBA jump.

The potential No. 1 draft pick sat down with HoopsHype to talk about his life as a professional basketball player, the different advice he’s gotten from NBA players past and present, the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and more.

Babacar Sane leads G League Ignite to win to wrap up FIBA Intercontinental Cup

Sane led the G League Ignite to a win on Sunday to wrap up the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.

Potential second-round pick Babacar Sane led the G League Ignite to a win on Sunday to wrap up the 2023 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Kallang, Singapore.

Sane produced a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in the 80-60 win over Al Manama of the Bahraini Premier League. He went 6-of-10 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line as the Ignite finished 1-2 in the tournament.

Ron Holland, the potential No. 1 pick next year, also registered a double-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. London Johnson added nine points and five assists, and Izan Almansa had four points and six assists.

Matas Buzelis, Thierry Darlan and Dink Pate did not play.

The Ignite were one of six teams that competed in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup this year representing different countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Egypt and Germany. The group finished fifth with its win on Sunday.

After facing the Perth Wildcats twice earlier this month, and finishing their three-game run in Singapore, the Ignite will now look ahead to the start of the regular season in the G League. They will host the Ontario Clippers in their season opener on Nov. 10.

With several draft-eligible prospects, the Ignite will take the court with perhaps their most talented roster yet. The team figures to attract plenty of attention and should be one of the most exciting groups to watch in the G League.

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London Johnson paces G League Ignite in second FIBA Intercontinental Cup contest

London Johnson and John Jenkins combined to lead the Ignite on Saturday in a loss in the FIBA Continental Cup.

Potential second-round pick London Johnson and veteran John Jenkins combined to lead the G League Ignite on Saturday in a loss in the FIBA Continental Cup in Kallang, Singapore.

Johnson and Jenkins each scored 15 points apiece in the 98-89 loss to Sesi Franca of the Basketball Champions League in Brazil. Johnson added three assists and two rebounds, while Jenkins also had six assists and two rebounds.

Ron Holland, the potential No. 1 pick next year, chipped in 10 points and five rebounds, and Izan Almansa had 11 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Babacar Sane finished with 11 points and five rebounds while Tyler Smith recorded eight points and eight rebounds.

Matas Buzelis, Thierry Darlan and Dink Pate did not play.

The Ignite dropped to 0-2 during their stay in the tournament after falling to Al Ahly of the Egypt Basketball Super League on Thursday. Smith led all scorers with 18 points and six rebounds, while Holland had 15 points and Johnson added 10 points.

The team will wrap up its stay on Sunday against Al Manama of the Bahraini Premier League. The Ignite are one of six teams competing in the tournament representing different countries around the world, including China and Germany.

They open the regular season on Nov. 10 against the Ontario Clippers.

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