Matas Arvidas Buzelis, a standout young basketball talent, played for the NBA G League's Ignite team. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, he is one of the top prospects for the 2024 NBA Draft. At just 19 years old, Buzelis has already garnered significant recognition. As a junior, he was named the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year and was selected to represent Team World at the 2022 Nike Hoops Summit. His impressive performance in college also earned him a spot among the top 10 players in the 2023 class.
Buzelis initially attended Hinsdale Central High School, then Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and lastly he went to Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. Here, he averaged 15.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his senior year. He was rated as a five-star athlete by all the leading scouting agencies.
During the 2023-24 season, Buzelis showcased his skills by averaging 14.3 points, 2.0 assists, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game across 26 matches for NBA G League Ignite.
Matas Buzelis’s Ethnicity
Buzelis' ethnicity is Lithuanian/ American. He was born in the United States and grew up in Chicago, but his parents are both from Lithuania so Matas's ethnicity is Lithuanian/ American.
Lithuanian basketball runs deep in Buzelis’s bloodline because his grandparents are legends of basketball in Lithuania. Buzelis’s father, Aidas Buzelis, played professional basketball in the Lithuanian Basketball League between 1993 and 1999. Buzelis's mother, Kristina Jankauskaitė of Lithuanian ethnicity, was a standout player for the Lithuanian youth basketball national teams. She was considered one of the most promising basketball talents of her generation. Both parents hold dual citizenship (American / Lithuanian) and can speak both languages - English & Lithuanian - fluently.
Matas' basketball journey began uniquely with a foundation in swimming before he transitioned to basketball. He was the top breaststroke swimmer among under-10 and under-12 swimmers in the state of Illinois. Inspired by stars like Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum, Matas has developed into an athletic and versatile player.
Throughout his college journey, Matas has emerged as a top NBA draft prospect. His incredible performance with G League Ignite has further solidified his reputation as a standout player, showcasing his skills and potential at a professional level.
FAQ's On Matas Buzelis Ethnicity
A. Matas Buzelis played as a small forward in G League Ignite.
A. Matas Buzelisis 6 foot 10 in tall.
A. Matas Buzelis’ wingspan is 6 foot 10 As of May 2024.
A. Matas Buzelis formally committed in 2022 to represent Lithuania in international basketball tournaments.
A. Matas Buzelis’ grandfather is Petras Buzelis, a former basketball legend from Lithuania.
A. Matas Buzelis went to Sunrise Christian Academy High School in Kansas.