Washington Wizards Draft Prospects: G-League Ignite Forward Matas Buzelis

Breaking down the top ten draft prospects for the Washington Wizards over the next ten weeks.

With the All-Star break concluded the Washington Wizards are getting ready for the last stretch of the season.

In the NBA lottery nothing is guaranteed but the chances for the Wizards getting a top three draft pick are looking good.

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We have already taken a look at a number of draft prospects and now we take a look at our sixth prospect G-League Ignite forward Matas Buzelis.

The 19-year-old forward stand at 6'10" and weighs 209 pounds.

NBA fans got a much closer look at Buzelis for the first time over the All-Star break when he competed in the Rising Stars Challenge.

He even made the game winning shot for Team Detlef in a stunning victory over Team Pau which included Washington guard Bilal Coulibaly.

Matas Buzelis of the @nbagleague Ignite wins it ‼️

Team Detlef advances to the #PaniniRisingStars Championship and will face Team Jalen 🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/eqErAqx8lw

— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2024

Against the stiffer NBA talent on Team Pau, Buzelis looked good going 3-for-7 leading to seven total points in the first game, but he then struggled in the championship against Team Jalen going 0-for-3 with a turnover.

Throughout his season in the G-League Buzelis is averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 45.3 percent.

So far though he has struggled with his three-point shot which has been a theme for a lot of this draft class.

Team Giraffe Stars forward Matas Buzelis (13) of the G League Ignite shoots the ball over Team BallIsLife forward-center Skal Labissiere (8) of the Stockton Kings during the G-League Next Up game at Indiana Convention Center / Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Just watching him on tape though you can see his jump-shot is smooth and the potential to develop that as part of his game is there.

Buzelis has struggled at certain times during this season but over the last five games he has been much better averaging 16.4 points on 52.9 percent shooting.

There are clear better picks and fits that will be available to the Wizards than Buzelis.

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Even with the recency bias of the upset win in the Rising Stars Challenge there are just better players out there.

Unless something goes awry during the draft or lottery I don't see Washington taking Buzelis.

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