The Chicago Bulls are currently going through a rebuild and will look to their young players to step up and prove they are worth building around.
One of those players the Bulls will look to build around is the star rookie, Matas Buzelis, who had a breakout game last night against the Miami Heat.
After an impressive 24 points in 31 minutes played, Buzelis will look to build on that strong performance tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Chicago Bulls rookie to make first career NBA start
The 20-year-old Buzelis has gone from barely playing, to to being named the Bulls’ sixth man, to now getting a chance to start in the NBA, talk about a rollercoaster ride.
“Matas Buzelis joins the starting lineup for the first time in his NBA career tonight vs. Minnesota.“
Matas Buzelis joins the starting lineup for the first time in his NBA career tonight vs. Minnesota.
STREAM ➡️ https://t.co/dLgvAjeEdl@FirstAlert | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/vdHG69Tvqx
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 6, 2025
Buzelis deserves the start with how good he has been for the Bulls as of late. This will be the young rookies first ever career start in the NBA. In Buzelis’s previous three games before his breakout performance against the Heat, had over 10+ points and a handful of rebounds in 20 minutes played.
Overall season
The talented 6-10 forward has all the earmarks of being a star in the NBA. Buzelis was asked to be a part of the NBA Dunk Contest where, if he performs, he can further make himself a future star in the league. For the season, Buzelis is averaging 13.6 minutes, scoring 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and averaging 0.8 blocks a game.
Buzelis recently had his minutes increased by head coach Billy Donovan and was named the Bull’s sixth man. Buzelis has excelled in that role, and with further trades possibly happening, Buzelis could see more games of 31 minutes.
A centerpiece to build around
With the ability to score off the dribble, rebound, shoot the three, and more importantly, score in the paint, Buzelis is someone the Bulls can turn to as a scoring option.
Still only 20 years old, Buzelis has a lot to prove once the league adjusts to him. However, with the mindset Buzelis has, he can figure it out.
With more trades still to come, the Bulls rookie has a lot more room to shine and get more time out on the court.
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