Matas Buzelis

Matas Buzelis was a well-known name as one of the most heavily recruited basketball players in the Class of 2023. Yet, Buzelis grabbed even more headlines in June 2022 when he announced he was bypassing college and signing with the G-League Ignite. He ultimately chose the professional pathway over Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State and Wake Forest. “I just felt that it was best for me,” Buzelis told On3’s Joe Tipton. “It was the coaching staff and the love and connection we had when we met. Just how they practice and everything. It’s all about development for me.” Buzelis was born in Chicago but raised by Lithuanian parents. He spent his junior season at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire but transferred to play his senior year at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. During the summer of 2022, Buzelis averaged 13 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists for his club team on Nike’s EYBL Circuit.