By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Matas Buzelis, the NBA G-League Ignite standout and a top projected NBA Draft pick, spoke with European media ahead of the launch of the Matas Buzelis Basketball Tournament, scheduled to take place from April 4th to April 6th in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Buzelis is anticipated to be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, but he’s unfazed by predictions as he heeds the advice of his compatriot and long-time NBA player, Jonas Valanciunas.
“I try not to look at it. It’s there, but I try to stay in the zone. I know what I’m capable of; I don’t look at what number I am and have no preference. Whoever picks and believes in me, I’m thankful because I worked hard my whole life. I just know if I’m getting better, I’m winning. Valanciunas told me to stay focused and not worry about mock drafts,” the talented forward said.
Another European forward, JL Bourg’s Zaccharie Risacher, is among the top projected draft picks. Buzelis would like to play him in a one-on-one game.
“Of course, I want to see him in 1-on-1, but he does not want to do that with me; his agent won’t do it. It’s a business decision. My advantage is that I have everything over him,” Matas confidently claimed.
The 19-year-old, who opted for the G League Ignite team as a five-star recruit from high school, got a taste of the NBA playing in the Rising Stars challenge during the All-Star break and competed against players like Victor Wembanyama.
“They know how to play because they compete in the NBA against the best, and they know how to score against length. Wembanyama is tall and has a long wingspan, and the only way to score is to shoot midrange. They know how to manipulate the game easily.”
Buzelis is committed to playing for the Lithuanian national team in the future and has already spoken with coach Kazys Maksvytis.
“I’m not sure if I’m going to play this summer for Lithuania, but I know I‘ll play in the future. We talked about how I’m going to play, in what position, what it will be like, who will be on the team, and how he will utilize me.”
His confidence is high that he can achieve great things with Lithuania alongside players like Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis.
“Lithuania is really good, and when I come over there, we’re going to win everything. Sabonis is my favorite player on the national team, and I think we would mix well together and win the gold medal,” Buzelis concluded.
Photo: fiba.basketball