Bulls' Carmelo Anthony gives high praise to rookie Matas Buzelis: 'He is talented'
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has had a productive rookie campaign, and the 11th pick in the NBA draft recently earned praise from Hall of Fame finalist Carmelo Anthony.
Buzelis is averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds on 36.1% shooting from 3-point range in 53 games with the Bulls. He is fifth in the rookie class in 3-point percentage and is one of 13 first-year players with multiple 20-point games this season.
The 20-year-old played one season with the G League Ignite after establishing himself as a consensus five-star recruit out of Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. Anthony has followed his journey and has been impressed by his development since becoming a professional.
"He is talented," Anthony said on the "7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony" podcast. "I saw Matas in high school and the EYBL circuit, and you really get a chance to see the growth and what these kids actually become. To see Matas in his high-school career and going to the G League and then being in Chicago, he did it a different way of getting to the league. He could have went to any school he wanted to. He would have been a top pick. I think Chicago has something with Matas."
Buzelis has seen a larger role of late and has even started in each of the last four games for coach Billy Donovan. He has scored in double figures in eight straight games, averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 assists on 42.4% shooting from 3-point range over that span.
The 6-foot-10 forward is emerging as a key contributor in the starting lineup for the Bulls after a slow start to the season off the bench. The team has challenged him to improve on both sides of the ball, and he is showcasing his ability at a high level on the court of late.
Buzelis is elevating his play, and the results are beginning to show for him. He continues to impress those who watch him play nightly, with the former 10-time All-Star among them.
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