Projected 2024 Top Draft Pick Matas Buzelis On Ditching College To Play For The G League Ignite

We decided to breakout this conversation with Matas Buzelis into it's own video. In this interview, Matas talks about why he decided to forego college to play for the G-League Ignite, being so hyped so early, why he's influenced by Luka and JR Smith, his friendship with Scoot Henderson and more.
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[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

Thanks for watching. Matas has such a bright future ahead and we're psyched he stopped by to share his early journey with us.

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

Also we're less than 100K subs away from hitting A MILLION. That's insane.

[@bignoob24]

​@@TransKidsMafiaThat's.....cool, I guess.

[@calebtapp7790]

@dil7423 wtf? How does that work?

[@bryair6163]

That mentality of only liking basketball cause he got better and taller is gonna bite him down the road. I'm not putting my money on him, he has an entitled persona and will get eaten alive by guys that play to win

[@Hexx8]

stop tryna recruit you bum

[@caleharris8152]

Welcome to Chicago!!!

[@JerryPs5]

Here after the bulls got him😊

[@nagaumagarikiparthi640]

Same

[@cleanmf1]

JJ get Jokic on the pod and you instantly become king of NBA podcasting.

[@amarevanhook7453]

He asked him before Jokic declined

[@wadeboggs5163]

If JJ asks to do the pod live from the stables of The Belmont he might have a chance 😂

[@spojsvojs]

He will need to go to Sombor and meetup in a "kafana" 😂😂😂

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@spojsvojs Ili da odigraju s njim laki siks u kladzi

[@olafbooij6849]

Who is the king now?

[@kobehoncho]

S/o Chicago Bulls 🐂

[@jjirvine4929]

As a bulls fan I’m happy we got him actually am excited for the season

[@Arjun_Kumar95]

Matas seems rly humble. still can't believe this kid is four years younger than me smh

[@GeronimoPlaz]

It's all downhill from here lol

[@MitchellBahamas]

He’s not American

[@spxce766]

@@MitchellBahamasyes he is i went to elementary and middle school with him

[@RpS-]

@@spxce766 his parents are both Lithuanian, and he has commited his future to the Lithuanian national team. So, I'd still say he's Lithuanian, even though he's lived his life in the US.

[@kanyechain]

@@RpS-you don’t seem to understand how this works

[@chadbailey7038]

Charming conversation. I appreciate his honesty and purity. Solid podcast episode 👏🏾

[@linassp3]

Upcoming Lithuanian legend Matas Buzelis on the pod? Cant say I expected this. Awesome stuff.

[@GeronimoPlaz]

He's American

[@MrChimorinkaari]

@@GeronimoPlazIs he ?

[@robinyourhood76]

@@GeronimoPlaz He will play for Lithuanian national team he said it himself

[@kipras4699]

@@GeronimoPlazlook at his name how does he sound american to you😁

[@josephboehmer1245]

@@kipras4699 he's a white kid from Chicago. He's American. His parents aren't

[@BiGxFooT23]

Let's go Matas is officially a Bull now, time to turn this team around slowly but surely. - #SeeRed

[@isaksidenius7059]

These european stars keep coming in! I like it! Haha

[@GreedyGlo]

I really love the fact that he said JR and Kyrie inspired his game Knicks JR😮‍💨

[@TheRealSlobo]

IF you are point guard growing up you cant not be impressed with the guy that has the biggest repertoire of moves in the league in Kyrie

[@evaldasdagis6803]

Matai keep going! Be the Best! Proud to be Lithuanian ✌️👍

[@belijah6089]

I went and watched his highlights after this pod. I owe you an apology. I wasn’t really familiar with your game. - Shaq

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

He didn't go to Duke because all their White PFs get compared to Leatner busting in a different Nba. Guy would pry Avg 30 in this Nba. But that's the Nba mindset. Go to Illinois. Much better School.

[@anthonynorman7545]

JJ really is about that Duke life 😂

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

Yeah, We can't have JJ talking to our Superstar PF now 😅😂😂. Naw if he wants to help the kid, I don't think Bulls will mind. Still. Run it through them!!!! 😂😂😂

[@SttudDioPierrot]

Get Chris Paul on the Pod to talk about how he won a Ring with KG And Paul Pierce

[@anthonynorman7545]

Huh? Rondo?

[@GeronimoPlaz]

Wut

[@stumpzzz7]

advanced humor

[@n8ivjayhawk]

😂

[@immartyfromowteam8064]

Thought it was a recent upload, showed on my recommended out of nowhere

[@hehersonromeomallavo2483]

1st Wemby now Buzelis , JJ is on FIRE!! 🔥🔥

[@charlesvicencio5060]

I hope the Spurs somehow gets a chance to draft him. Go Spurs Go!!!

[@loswitdahoodie617]

CHIICAGOOOOOO

[@leonardosilvestre4250]

Bro mentioned Stephon Castle and to probably the first one after him to point out, Stephon is going to be elite in the league

[@hater4real]

"my biggest distraction was study hall" jj reddick 2023

[@melaniebelmonte1913]

Welcome to chicago bulls mata buzelis ❤

[@indiiiGo1223]

9:40 “I’m Going to start doing this with my team” JJ is now the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers

[@TheFilmSpace1]

Love the advice you gave him !! And the shot at Ben Simmons 😂 he’s definitely a top 5 pick. He’s super talented

[@OathBoy_562]

Man I hope Ben Simmons can get back to form. It’s been sad to see Frfr

[@JayyBanks]

Saying Jr Smith is actually more realistic than people realize. Every kid doesn’t automatically grow up loving LeBron or Steph. Some love Paul George lol

[@silewis9396]

Its no more realistic than saying Lebron or Steph

[@TheRealSlobo]

ohhhhh his background is LITHUANIAN..that explains everything

[@johnplacca4746]

I’m an athletic trainer and it’s wild to me the resources these kids got. Meanwhile I used to take care of students basically out of janitors closets 😂. The resources gotta trickle down damn

[@brianjordan3947]

Me being from Jerzey...love the JR mention...

[@marshal11ify]

Matas is a Unicorn. Unicorn gang is back 🦄

[@cusematt23]

Seems like a really nice kid who has his head on straight. I liked the "white tatum" comp I heard recently. Maybe not quite the tightest handle, and maybe not the purest jumpshot, but both are very good for his size and athleticism. I expect he will hit his potential.

[@mark11967AD]

Players that don’t reach their full potential you think of all the AAU ego stroking and non fundamental free styling basketball. And then there’s the mega money. But Matas seems like he’s committed for real. And he has tremendous talent and very good athleticism. So it’s hard to see him not being a successful player in the league. Hopefully he can be the third best player on a winning contending type team. That would be damn good. Or possibly even better.

[@guiwhiz]

Yeah I've lost track of how many parents are POSITIVE their son has NBA potential... and he's a 5'6" 14 year old and both his parents are under 6 feet tall. Umm.... I look over at my son who is 6'3" tall and is more athletic, faster, stronger, more talented, and more skilled and we're thinking he 'might', if he keeps growing and developing, have a shot at playing D-II... maybe... definitely a 'maybe'... a shot at a lower-tier D-1 school because of his stellar grades. Now at 16 6'4" tall and Varsity we're thinking something like an Ivy League Athletic Conference is a 'maybe' again because of his honors classes and top grades. That 14 year old teammate has now grown all the way to 5'9" tall and didn't make the JV team... Reality check. Sixty kids are drafted each year from all over the world. There are 5500 D-1 basketball players in the US. Sixty.... 500,000 High School Varsity players. The best player in your high school's CONFERENCE... might get a sniff at a D-1 position.

[@WoughtJayBallin]

Good luck to yo son og 💯

[@Justicehillmusic]

Go bulls

[@whootyasmr3956]

Feels like I'm talking to a Chicago Native when he mentions Full Package and Feeder teams. Was on both of those basketball programs. Brings back memories!

[@amarevanhook7453]

I been following him for a minute he’s nice asf

[@blaze4811]

If this dude is a 6’10 prime JR I’d say that’s win of a top pick🤣

[@silewis9396]

Not even close to the shooter or the athlete JR was at 18

[@randomthoughts8276]

This kid is a killer!

[@jumbo_raccoon1303]

W podcast

[@rushborda6333]

Praying mantis 🪲

[@theodorecollins7042]

Love this type of POD because no one else is doing it like this at the level we enjoy

[@theesotaricitalian6338]

Chicago's own I hope the bulls get him

[@marklawrence76]

Welcome a Chicago kid to the Chicago Bulls #seered

[@bleedgreen01]

I love wemby

[@dannex98]

this kid reminds me of Jan vesely

[@anthony6751]

how

[@Vega_Sports]

Buzeaulis is a 6ft 10 SF/SG

[@isaacj8175]

Why not just do e separate pods off the rip, one for Kcp and one for Matt?

[@zachhoff9876]

Bulls legend

[@414shhakeback]

🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹 WE HERE

[@Habeev07]

Hope POR drafts him. Not as tall as Blazer and Lithuanian legend SABONIS but he is a super talented prospect. If he can get to 6'10" watch out.

[@23whosnext]

im a believer in him next NBA STAR

[@vw2430]

JR Smith lmao that’s raw

[@diorv2402]

jr smith hell yeah

[@anthonytrevino3191]

Hm intriguing but something tells me to be wary of him, play wise.

[@spxce766]

he was 5’10 in 5th grade bros always been tall 💀💀

[@TrillaDC]

Please try to get Chet on!

[@aiversonas1]

Lithuanian Basketball Mafia 🏀🇱🇹🇱🇹🇱🇹

[@ValdasMi]

🇱🇹

[@ninersnation3298]

6'11" with point guard skills and handle = NBA Top 5 picks. reminds you of the Wembyama, and anthony davis. Bol Bol is close.

[@silewis9396]

Living in a fantasy world. He got picked outside the top 10.

[@Starttup]

JR

[@OathBoy_562]

JR & KYRIE. Good players to watch Frfr

[@meloinroses]

jis pajims topa

[@mrwvupersonguy]

JJ, imma hear you say that you hate UVA soon enough

[@kirkashton2088]

Love JJ and T-Bone. This felt weird.

[@ramsnation196]

oh god i hope this kid id a dawg and not ben simmons

[@dainiussi1210]

🇱🇹

[@cloudnationmedia8326]

I have to admit that when Matas mentioned his origin story, a few things stood out: 1.) He wasn't interested in basketball most of his life, but his mother pushed him into it. 2.) He became interested in basketball when he felt dominant (he won't feel dominant in the NBA). 3.) He really pays attention to analytics and says he loves the game now.

[@rickymedina4428]

He could have made a huge nil deal in 1 year of college ! But honestly him and Ron Holland made the best decision for themselves !

[@navv2k]

He gon probably gon get 1 mil like scoot did

[@GlueGuy20]

Gordon Hayward 2.0

[@agriskaminskis9352]

'like' seems as unecessary word 95% of the time

[@PhilipCros]

It basically replaced the word ‘um’

[@nonope5414]

Have your entire life to chase the bag. Only college age once! Chase those college girls for as long as you can. Avoid adult life as long as you can. NBA ain't going anywhere but being college age goes by fast asf. Not going to college is so stupid.

[@lebumjames1373]

exactly, the money’s always going to be there and experiencing college at 18-22 is something that he’ll never get going straight to the g-league.

[@ApasTalaz]

@@lebumjames1373 im sure the euro players are extremely sad about playing professional ball at a young age and not attending college, Doncic, Porzingis, Henderson just to name a few are probably going to not be happy with their careers or life just because they didn't chase the college girls. What an idiotic way to go about life.

[@markbailey5275]

Not worth millions to drink beer and slay. Injuries are a thing

[@DaggerMan11]

My man Matas already studying the analytics!

[@mattwilliams7454]

Any relation to Festus Ezili?

[@andrewparisi9527]

they look a lot alike

[@johnnyg1943]

He almost came to FSU 😭😭😭😭

[@DavidJonesAirway]

Straight hooper

[@tirosc]

I would be weary of drafting this guy too high. Sounds like he only likes basketball once he can beat people with it. He's certainly not gonna be good when he first comes to the league, will that stump his growth?

[@andoos]

15:13

[@floorgeneral309]

Talking about Zion at 17:38

[@TheFilmSpace1]

Simmons too

[@floorgeneral309]

@@TheFilmSpace1 Oh yeah…forgot he was still playing😂😂

[@PhilipCros]

Matas Buzelis future Washington Wizard or Detroit Piston

[@navv2k]

Hoop wizards they need there star

[@silewis9396]

They passed!

[@nodefense]

Loce Matas, hope the Rockets can get him next year

[@jamesk1245]

Ya. This guy will LOVE to work hard when it’s time to come off the bench. 😂😂He will definitely have work ethic issues when he’s not dominating. 👎👎👎

[@TYLERORTIZ2021]

I wonder if so many young players rep Paul George because he was on the cover of 2k12. Because PG is nice but it is odd. He hasn’t won anything or been a top player at his position

[@WoughtJayBallin]

He was the cover of 17, also it’s because a lot of players dream to be, 6’8 do it all players

[@TYLERORTIZ2021]

@@WoughtJayBallin I guess. I’d put a few guys ahead of him tho

[@josefortunato4658]

I gotta be getting pranked . This kid has red flags written all over him . I wouldn’t tank for this guy

[@navv2k]

What’s the red flags?

[@anthony6751]

what are you smoking

[@josephboehmer1245]

He would be the first white American taken #1 since Milwaukee took Kent Benson in 1977.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

He's Lithuanian.

[@zombie92110]

He grew up in the USA but if I m not mistaking he is gonna play for Lithuania.

[@josephboehmer1245]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307 he's from Chicago

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@josephboehmer1245 Both of his parents are Lithuanian, he just grew up there. He's not an American.

[@josephboehmer1245]

@dimitrijetucovic1307 so he's a first generation American. Good talk

[@Fellow287]

So the pace of the game will be the most difficult and the easiest thing for him? Lol anybody else catch that

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

This kid really doesn't seem that bright.

[@ichirosuzuki2252]

Not sure why you say that. He seems measured and soft spoken in how he communicates, and he has a reasonable amount of wisdom about work ethic and what it takes to succeed.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@ichirosuzuki2252 JJ and Tommy ask him two times in a row who were his idols growing up and he starts talking about how he hated basketball.

[@Amorphousize]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307 I agree, but in that specific instance he did answer the question. He didn't have basketball idols growing up because he didn't like basketball then.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@Amorphousize Took him long enough.

[@shmoga]

prolly why hes skipping college.

[@unkownknob]

why did he drop to 11?

[@Cahden]

Jack of all trades master of none in a draft where teams were drafting for specific things