Matas buzelis
At 6’10”, Matas Buzelis’ feel and ballhandling stand out. While he was not given an opportunity to consistently display those abilities, he took advantage of every chance he was given when the offense was run through him. His height and refined scoring abilities helps him score from the perimeter and in the post, but he can improve by demonstrating a more consistent perimeter shot and interior finishing. In all, Matas’ combination of ballhandling, perimeter flashes, height, and feel will be highly sought after by NBA front offices this year, making him a high-end prospect in this year’s draft.
SHADES OF:
Franz Wagner
Lamar Odom
Rich Man’s Nikola Jovic
Big board rankings:
Josh - #1 Overall (64.5)
Liam - #?
Samuel - #2
measurements:
Height: 6’8.75”
Wingspan: 6’10”
Weight: 197 lbs
Age: 19.7
Best landing spot:
Portland Trailblazers: His connective playmaking abilities should allow him to strive next to the dynamic scorers already in place in Portland. He can take the mantle from Jerami Grant and serve as their 4 of the future, but he is versatile enough to slot into different positions across their lineup. His height and feel will shine in transition alongside Sharpe & Scoot, giving Portland a very dynamic and versatile core to build around.
OFFENSE:
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Despite a long and lanky frame, Buzelis has the craftiness and creativity of a smaller guard when attacking the rim. Matas does a great job getting into the paint using both left and right handed drives and is also able to finish with both hands. Buzelis’ lack of strength is noticeable at the moment, which could cause him to struggle against bigger and stronger defenders at the next level. However, he doesn't shy away from contact, highlighting an aggressiveness that will be helpful at the next level.
Videos:
https://twitter.com/pointmadebball/status/1735499594468032752/video/1
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Matas has a variety of dribble moves that allow him to get to his spots and an array of weapons, including a floater, to help him finish from this area. However, he still needs to improve his handle and demonstrate more consistency when attacking from the mid range. He has demonstrated the ability to get to his spots in the mid-range and hit shots, but has not done so consistently enough to indicate this as a strength.
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While he is not yet a consistent threat from beyond the arc, Matas has a solid and efficient shooting form and pulls up confidently from deep. His struggles from the free throw line at the G-League level have been concerning, but he still has the skillset to be at least an average shooter.
https://twitter.com/pointmadebball/status/1735539326849818798/video/1
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For his size and age, Matas is extremely polished at scoring off the dribble. As mentioned earlier, he has an array of moves that he uses to keep defenders guessing, including floaters and euro-steps. He also demonstrates great patience when breaking down defenders, showcasing excellent maturity.
Matas' handle, despite being advanced for his age, will need to continue improving to become a primary ball handler in the NBA. It is still relatively loose and some adjustments would make him more potent off the dribble.
Video:
https://twitter.com/pointmadebball/status/1735507037990395964/video/1
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Matas can impact the game without initiating the offense. He makes smart reads and has a knack for cutting to the rim at the right time or rotating to provide spacing for the ball handler. He is great at using his size to establish good positioning on smaller defenders, allowing him to secure easy looks at the basket. He is hampered, currently, by an inconsistent perimeter shot.
Videos:
https://twitter.com/pointmadebball/status/1735501554415988920/video/1
https://twitter.com/pointmadebball/status/1735503947606139381/video/1
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Connective playmaking is a highly sought after skill in the NBA, and is already an area where Matas has shined; however, he has also shown capable of leading on offense, at times. He especially excels as a ballhandler on fast breaks, but he is also able to make good reads when driving to the rim. His upside in this area will be heavily dependent on his ability to handle the rock, as his vision and ability to create for others is amazing for his size and age.
DEFENSE:
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Matas is T A L L, but also noticeably lanky. While he has gotten stronger, a lot of his defensive versatility will depend on how he manages to guard stronger 3s and 4s at the next level. He has very active hands and good defensive instincts though, which should help him compensate for that lack of strength. He uses his size and length well, especially when working as a supporting/help defender, allowing him to accrue blocks at a good rate.
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Matas' length is also noticeable on the perimeter. He moves well laterally and uses his size well, allowing him to keep up with smaller, quicker players, but there are also instances where he gets burned by quicker guards. He does have good instincts, with good active hands. He has the potential to be a good defender in the future.
INTANGIBLES:
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Matas is a great, but not elite athlete. He is fluid and smooth with his movements and he shows good burst when driving into the paint, but lacks a quick first step. When attacking the rim, he shows impressive verticality and explosiveness on his dunks and he uses this athleticism on both ends, as discussed earlier with his ability to move well laterally on defense.
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At 6’10, Matas is a jumbo-sized wing capable of handling the ball. His size and skillset makes him extremely versatile and should allow him to slot up and down NBA line-ups.
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Matas plays hard on both ends. He stays engaged on offense without the ball in his hands by fighting for positioning and making timely cuts. He is an engaged defender who constantly moves to support his teammates.