Matas Buzelis challenges Zaccharie Risacher to 1-on-1 NBA pre-draft workout / News - Basketnews.com

Matas Buzelis, a projected top-six NBA draft pick, has challenged Zaccharie Risacher, currently ranked No. 1 by ESPN, to a 1-on-1 matchup during the NBA pre-draft workouts.

Credit: AP/AFP/Scanpix Credit AP/AFP/Scanpix

Matas Buzelis, one of the top prospects for the 2024 NBA draft, has challenged ESPN's projected No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher, to a 1-on-1 showdown in the NBA pre-draft process.

Matas Buzelis

Position:SG, SFAge:19Height:211 cmWeight:89 kgBirth place:Chicago, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

"Of course, I want to see him one-on-one. He just doesn't want to do that with me. His agent will not do that with me, and I know he won't. It’s a business decision," Buzelis responded to BasketNews when asked if he would like to challenge Risacher in the NBA pre-draft workout.

"My advantage is that I have everything over him,"he added when asked about his main advantage that would enable him to win this duel.

Both players can play the same wing position and have similar heights, with Buzelis listed at 2.08 meters and Risacher at 2.06 meters. Additionally, they both bring a lot of potential and a similar skill set that would appeal to NBA teams.

In the latest ESPN mock draft, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo projected Risacher as the No. 1 pick, while Buzelis was listed as the No. 1 projected pick in the first ESPN mock draft a year ago.

In the latest ESPN mock draft, Buzelis is ranked sixth.

As of now, Buzelis and Risacher have not had the opportunity to compete against each other on the same floor.

“I try not to look at it. It's obviously there, and I see it. But I try to stay in the zone. I know what I'm capable of, and I don’t look at what number I am. I know if I’m getter better, then I'm winning," Buzelis stated when recalling where his name is listed on the draft boards.

Risacher is part of the JL Bourg Basket, which reached the EuroCup semifinals and currently ranks 4th in the French championship.

In the EuroCup, he has been averaging 12.6 points on 54.3% shooting from inside the arc and 53.3% from beyond it, along with 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.7 turnovers in 24 minutes per game.

In a do-or-die quarterfinal matchup against Ratiopharm Ulm, Risacher contributed to a victory with 20 points (7/11 FG), four rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes of play.

In the French league, Risacher has averaged 10.0 points (51.7% 2P, 37.0% 3P%), 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists.

In his rookie G League season, Buzelis has averaged 14.3 points on 44.5% field goal shooting and 27.3% from beyond the arc, along with 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.1 turnovers in 32 minutes per game.

Buzelis is set to conclude their season on March 28 against the Ontario Clippers. G League Ignite achieved two wins in 33 games.

This marks the final season of the G League Ignite project, as the NBA has decided to discontinue the initiative. In the previous three drafts, 10 Ignite players were selected, four of whom became lottery picks.

Leading up to the NBA draft, Buzelis is gearing up for another thrilling basketball event.

A 19-year-old prospect is hosting the Matas Buzelis Basketball Tournament from April 4th to April 6th in Vilnius, Lithuania. Though hailing from America, Buzelis has deep roots in Lithuania.

The tournament will showcase six teams, including four prominent Lithuanian squads: the National Basketball Academy (NKA), a joint team of Kaunas basketball schools, and two teams from the Capital Basketball School (SKM). Joining them will be the Travel Team and the Barcelona youth team, led by Lukas Jasikevicius, son of European basketball legend Sarunas Jasikevicius.

In addition to the tournament, there will be a conference component featuring insightful talks. Among the speakers are Matas' esteemed high school coach, Luke Barnwell, from Sunrise Christian Academy, and his AAU coach, Dmitry Pirshin.

When asked by BasketNews which three active or retired NBA players he would pick for his camp, Buzelis listed a couple of guys he texts from time to time.

"I'm going to go with Sabonis, myself, and Valanciunas," said Buzelis with a smile.

"I'm super grateful to do this tournament. I used to be a kid to look up to other basketball players, so I know what it's like. It was my dream to do a basketball tournament for a long time," Buzelis can't wait Matas Buzelis Basketball Tournament to start.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.