Matas Buzelis will be one of the first names off the board at the 2024 NBA Draft.
Scouts have had their eye on the 19-year-old since he dominated high school hoops, earning a No. 5 ranking in the 2023 class. He was once considered the potential No. 1 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Buzelis, who spent a year with the G League Ignite in the team’s final season, will still be a top pick this year and help out whichever franchise selects the Lithuanian-American forward.
NBA fans will need to familiarize themselves with his skill set as well as how to pronounce his name as he looks to become a household name in the league.
Here’s a guide on how to pronounce Matas Buzelis.
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How do you pronounce Matas Buzelis’ name?
The proper way to pronounce Matas is “modest without the t,” his mother Kristina told GQ.
As for his last name, Buzelis is pronounced “Boo-zealous.”
Here’s a video of Buzelis pronouncing his name in an interview from March 2023:
Buzelis was a highly touted prospect in high school, even projecting as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He’ll still land among the top picks, though he’s no longer considered in the running for the top selection.
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Matas Buzelis G League Ignite stats
Buzelis skipped college to play for the G League Ignite. He spent just one year before declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.
- 14.3 points per game
- 6.9 rebounds per game
- 1.9 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 2.1 blocks per game
- 2.1 turnovers per game
- 44.5 percent field goal shooting
- 27.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 67.9 percent free throw shooting
- 32.0 minutes per game
- 26 games played