Matas Buzelis Earns Second Straight Rising Stars Nod, Cementing His Role in Bulls’ Future
Chicago’s got something brewing with Matas Buzelis.
The 6-foot-9 forward has officially punched his ticket to the NBA Rising Stars Game for the second year in a row, and it’s not just a ceremonial nod - it’s a reflection of the serious strides he’s made in his sophomore campaign. Set to take the floor during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Buzelis is showing why the Bulls believed in him with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Through 48 games this season, Buzelis is averaging 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, two assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. Those numbers are solid on their own, but the real story is in the way he’s getting them - with growing confidence, better shot selection, and a defensive motor that’s starting to hum. He’s become a do-it-all forward in Chicago’s rotation, capable of finishing at the rim, spacing the floor, and protecting it on the other end.
Since December 1, Buzelis has taken things up a notch. He’s averaging 16.1 points per game during that stretch - good for second among all second-year players.
And in January, he tied for the most 20-point games among rookies and sophomores with four. That’s not just a hot streak - that’s a player starting to figure it out.
He’s also the only player in that group to tally at least 200 points, 25 made threes, and 15 blocks in the first month of 2026. That kind of versatility - scoring, shooting, rim protection - is rare in young wings, and it’s why the Bulls are so high on what he can become.
And speaking of rare, Buzelis is already in the record books in Chicago. He’s the only Bulls player to post at least 1,000 points, 150 made threes, and 130 blocks before turning 22. That’s not just promising - that’s historic.
With this year’s Rising Stars selection, Buzelis becomes the ninth Bulls player to earn the honor twice, joining names like Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Lauri Markkanen, and Ayo Dosunmu. He’s now one of 19 Bulls all-time to be featured in the event.
The 2026 Castrol Rising Stars Game tips off at 8 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 13, as part of All-Star Weekend festivities.
It features a mini-tournament format with four teams - three made up of NBA rookies and sophomores, and one composed of G League talent. Buzelis will suit up for Team Vince, coached by NBA legend Vince Carter, alongside fellow up-and-comers like VJ Edgecomb, Derik Queen, and Jaylen Wells.
Other honorary coaches include Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Austin Rivers, with All-Star assistant coaches leading the squads.
Selections for the event were made by NBA assistant coaches, who voted on the top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores, with one final spot going to the next-highest vote-getter.
For Buzelis, this Rising Stars nod is more than a midseason accolade - it’s a marker of what’s possible. He’s steadily carving out a role in Chicago, and if his development continues on this trajectory, we could be looking at a future All-Star in the making. The Bulls have a young cornerstone on their hands - now it’s about building the right foundation around him.