NBA Draft: G League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis Finds Himself in No. 1 Tier Prior to Season
After a highly-lauded 203 NBA Draft class surged through Summer League, some experts shifted their focus to the 2024 class.
The juxtaposition between the two is apparent, making 2024 seem worse than it really is. The former had one of the most heralded prospects of all-time: Victor Wembanyama. And the latter having a handful of top talents without clear separation between them.
One of those, however, is soon-to-be G League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis. Who, if he pans out in certain developmental areas, would be a fine choice at No. 1 overall next June.
At 6-foot-11, Buzelis is a lengthy sharpshooter with wing tendencies packed into a slenderly built center’s frame. Even more, he’s got the handle, touch, feel for the game and basketball IQ to make some think he just might be a guard when it’s all said and done.
Regardless, his combination of size, fluidity and feel make him tantalizing in a variety of positions.
Defensively, Buzelis has a ways to go in filling out his frame and honing general defensive tendencies. But again, his length offers him some upside rarely seen. He can clog passing lanes with his wingspan, offers some secondary rim-protection chops, though not advanced just yet, and generally makes like harder on the opposition when he’s locked in.
There’s, of course, plenty of areas Buzelis can improve on over the next 11-ish months. Skills that could propel him into No. 1 territory or leave him hanging outside the top five. His handle needs work, along with his at-rim finishing when it’s crowded. And despite him being a moderately advanced playmaker for his size and position, the coming tape will answer lots of scout’s questions.
He'll have plenty of competition, though, even on his own team with forward Ron Holland. Other potential top selections could include Kentucky's Justin Edwards, Perth forward Alex Sarr, USC guard Isaiah Collier and french standout Zaccharie Risacher.
But all-in-all, Buzelis could very well end up the top pick come draft night 2024.
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