Kentucky staying in regular contact with '23 5-star Matas Buzelis

Over the weekend, Indianapolis was loaded with top-end basketball recruits. Plenty of the underclassmen prospects that participated are receiving Kentucky interest — some far more than others. One player in particular, Matas Buzelis, appears to be high on the Wildcats’ radar.

Buzelis, a five-star small forward considered the No. 11 prospect from the class of 2023 by the On3 Consensus, was one of the top performers up in Indy these last few days at the Nike EYBL Session II event. The lanky 6-foot-10 wing plays more like a lead ball-handler than a traditional forward and showcases skills that NBA scouts fawn over. He can shoot from most areas of the floor and possesses an innate feel for the game. Buzelis is right-handed, but you wouldn’t know it when you watch him easily flick left-handed passes across the court.

“I think I create for my team and just make it easier for them,” Buzelis told KSR about his style. “I can also score, but my main game is to play make.”

Over a four-game stretch for Expressions Elite (MA) U17 squad this weekend, Buzelis averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks while shooting an elite 71 percent from the floor (22-31) along with a 4-9 mark from beyond the arc, or an efficient 44 percent. Expressions Elite went 3-1 during that span, putting them at 6-2 overall through two of the four EYBL sessions this summer.

The Kentucky coaching staff has been on Buezlis since the fall of 2021 and eventually got him on campus during December for an official visit. Buzelis left Lexington with a scholarship in hand — something he said he wasn’t expecting — making him just the eighth 2023 prospect to receive an offer at the time from the ‘Cats. Kentucky head coach John Calipari, along with assistants Chin Coleman and Jai Lucas, were constantly watching Buzelis’ games over the weekend in Indy.

John Calipari now in for 2023 five-star Matas Buzelis.

Kentucky has watched every one of the 6-foot-10 playmaker’s games this weekend. pic.twitter.com/2TkcFOexq6

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 24, 2022

Contact between the two sides has been consistent for a while now.

“We got a good relationship,” Buezlis told KSR about Kentucky. “I talk to them maybe two times a week and it’s great that they’re showing love.”

Buzelis holds offers from all the big-name programs — Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, and UCLA are among the schools making him a priority. Right now, he’s hearing the most from the likes of Kentucky, Duke, Florida State, UNC, Arizona, and Wake Forest.

Along with UK, Buzelis has taken previous visits to FSU and Wake Forest. He doesn’t have any trips planned as of right now but does intend to schedule more over the summer (Duke is expected to be one of those stops). A decision date will likely come sometime after the Nike Peach Jam, which will take place in mid-July.

It wasn’t long ago that Buzelis was considered an unknown prospect. His rise to popularity in recruiting circles came alive around the back-end of his sophomore season and hasn’t slowed down since. He’s one of the most versatile offensive players in all of high school hoops with plenty of room to bulk up his 185-pound frame. Not even the pressure of playing in front of rows of college coaches or going up against several other five-stars stopped him from dazzling those in attendance.

“I always wanted to be in the light, so why would I back down now?” Buzelis said.