Matas Buzelis chooses the G League path to the NBA over college / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: LKF Credit LKF

Five-star recruit Matas Buzelis has committed to the G League Ignite for the 2023-2024 season, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

The No. 11 player in ESPN’s Top 100 for the Class of 2023 is a skilled 17-year-old, 2.08 m. forward. According to the same report, he will bypass college basketball and sign into the NBA’s professional pathway program once he graduates from Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas next spring.

Matas Buzelis' final five options also included North Carolina, Kentucky, Wake Forest and Florida State. He took visits to UK, Wake and FSU, while UNC had turned up the heat this spring. Over the last weeks, though, it became clear that G League Ignite was his preferred route.

The versatile wing prospect was born in Chicago but raised by Lithuanian parents. He spent his junior season at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire but will transfer to play his senior year at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. Buzelis signed a one-year deal with the G-League, and will then enter the 2023 NBA draft after its completion.

In an interview with Pro Insight, held in June 2021, Buzelis described himself as "a first-generation American. Both my parents came from Lithuania 20+ years ago and settled in Chicago. We speak the Lithuanian language at home."

He also pointed out that he does intend to play for Lithuania in the future. "Of course! Actually I will be going to U18 Lithuanian National Team camp this summer," he said.

How does Buzelis describe his game?

"I can do everything on the floor, dribble, shoot, pretty much everything. I think my body got better this year; my jump shot has become much more consistent. I play a little like Luke Doncic, Lamelo Ball, guys with size who can dribble and pass it."

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