The rookie has a lofty goal for the rest of 2024-25.
Feb 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) talks with head coach Billy Donovan during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis had a busy, if not impactful, NBA All-Star Weekend.
He participated in the Slam Dunk Contest but had a long, awkward, unsuccessful first round, ultimately being bounced before making the finals.
He was also a late entrant into the Rising Stars Challenge after New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi dropped out with an injury, although Buzelis played just nine minutes and scored only four points and his team lost its opening game.
Still, the 20-year-old’s appearance in multiple All-Star events shows he’s being recognized around the league, even if he has yet to make a significant impact. Now, it’s time for Buzelis to aim higher, and he’s well aware of it.
Bulls’ Matas Buzelis wants to win NBA Rookie of the Year Award
Chicago’s first-year forward didn’t make much of a dent in the league’s consciousness—or the Bulls’, for that matter—in the first half of the season. Heading into the All-Star break, Buzelis was averaging 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 14.8 minutes per game and had only started three times.
He did, however, lead all rookie forwards in blocks and had begun to finally carve out a role in head coach Billy Donovan’s rotation. Since Jan. 29, Buzelis has averaged 25.8 minutes per game and has started five of those nine contests. During that stretch, he’s averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 56.3 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three.
What truly gives Buzelis a chance to make a run at the award, though, is the fact that it’s a wide-open race. San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle is No. 1 on the NBA’s Kia Rookie Ladder, though he’s averaging just 12.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 3.6 apg. Only one other player in the top five is scoring in double digits, and that’s Jaylen Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies, who’s posting 11.1 ppg.
Buzelis’ slow start has him trailing, frankly by a large margin, but the Illinois native believes he has a shot to make up ground with a strong second half of the season, per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune.
“”I could definitely make a run for it. I definitely believe that and I’m going to manifest it. … I would like to win that award for sure. I also want to win as many games as possible. But you know, if you win the games, then you’ll be in that conversation.””
Does Buzelis have enough time to catch Castle, who’s the clear frontrunner as of Feb. 22? It’s a lot to ask. But based on how he’s played over the last few weeks—and, maybe more importantly, how much he’s played—there’s at least a chance.
Regardless, Buzelis is proving he’s a critical part of Chicago’s future.