Bulls' next franchise cornerstone is making it impossible to ignore him

Not many players received more praise this preseason than the Chicago Bulls’ sophomore sensation, Matas Buzelis. The 21-year-old wing averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 57.4 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three across Chicago’s five preseason contests.

Following an intriguing rookie campaign, Buzelis showcased a noticeably more refined game throughout the preseason. He played with greater confidence, pushing the ball coast-to-coast and flashing dribble moves rarely seen during his rookie year. Moreover, he increased his three-point volume without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

Matas Buzelis’ stellar preseason confirms the hype

From the outset, Buzelis’ offseason improvements were evident. In Chicago’s preseason opener, the 6-foot-10 forward posted 19 points and seven rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. He scored multiple times against reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley—and even returned the favor by blocking one of Mobley’s shot attempts.

As mentioned earlier, it was Buzelis’ ball-handling, and perhaps more importantly, his creativity and dexterity on drives, that truly stood out.

Against Mobley, he scored twice on drives, each in completely different ways. The first came after he beat his defender and met Mobley at the rim; rather than challenging the shot-blocking big man head-on, Buzelis used a deliberate slow step to neutralize Mobley’s timing. Later, when Mobley switched onto him on the perimeter, Buzelis employed a hesitation dribble to put Mobley on his heels before a quick one-dribble gather that took him straight to the rim.

In the Bulls’ third preseason matchup, Buzelis once again scored 19 points and showcased his effectiveness off the ball—not just as a spot-up shooter. At nearly seven feet tall with long, fluid strides, Buzelis is a formidable cutter and an easy target for teammates to find. Whenever he catches the ball on or just inside the three-point line, he typically needs only one dribble to reach the rim. And once he gets there, few defenders in the league can prevent the 21-year-old from finishing.

Buzelis set his preseason high against the Denver Nuggets in Chicago’s fourth outing, scoring 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting while showcasing his defensive versatility with five blocks. Time and again, he finished in the paint against Nikola Jokić, showing little concern for the reigning MVP’s presence. It’s become clear that non-shot-blockers have little impact on contesting Buzelis at the rim. Defensively, the 21-year-old is especially dangerous as a weakside or trailing shot-blocker, using his length and timing to catch opponents off guard.

In the Bulls’ preseason finale, Buzelis capped off his impressive stretch with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three. This time, the Chicago native put his elite transition ability on display, scoring eight points on the fast break—all four field goals coming on highlight reel dunks. From alley-oops to windmills, Buzelis’ full arsenal was on display versus the Timberwolves.

After a quietly impressive rookie season, Buzelis looks poised for a full-fledged breakout. His offensive versatility is off the charts for a 21-year-old, 6-foot-10 forward. He can attack the rim, spot up from three, score off movement, and thrive in transition. On the other end, he’s no slouch defensively and seems a strong bet to lead the Bulls in blocks.

Excitement surrounded Buzelis throughout the offseason, but after his awe-inspiring preseason showing, confidence in his breakout is at an all-time high.