Chicago native Matas Buzelis is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft

Chicago native Matas Buzelis declares for 2024 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Chicago native and G League Ignite star Matas Buzlelis is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft, he confirmed on X (formerly Twitter). Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to announce the news.

Buzelis, 19, was born and raised in Chicago. His parents are both Lithuanian-born and former professional basketball players; his father for the Lithuanian Basketball League. Initially a strong swimmer, he shifted his focus to basketball after playing a coronavirus-shortened season at Hinsdale Central High School in suburban Chicago.

Before graduating, he transferred to two different boarding schools. At the end of high school, Buzelis was named the Gatorade Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, and was selected to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoops Summit. From there, he decided to play for the G-League Ignite team before the 2024 NBA Draft and decided against attending college.

In 26 games with the Ignite this season, Buzelis averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shoots 44.5% from the field and 27.3% from distance. Buzelis also averages 2.1 blocks and 0.9 steals per game, showing his versatility on the defensive side of the court.

ESPN's most recent 2024 NBA Mock Draft projects Buzelis to pick No. 17 in the draft. Previous mock drafts may have had him go even higher with the first 10 picks.

MORE: Chicago native and top NBA draft prospect Matas Buzelis reacts to potentially being drafted by the Bulls

The Bulls currently have the 11th best odds in the NBA Draft. What would Buzelis think about playing for his hometown?

“I would feel good about it. Hometown hero!” said Buzelis. “It would be fun to play for Chicago. I just watched them when I was younger and watched Derrick Rose play. My dad's clients that he works with play for the Grizzlies. We would go every time they played the Grizzlies.

What would the Bulls or any other team get in Buzelis?

“I would say they're getting a versatile player who comes to work every day, even on bad days,” Buzelis said. “You’re going to find someone who will do whatever the coach tells them to do.”

To read/watch Buezlis' full interview with NBC Sports Chicago, check it out here.

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