Matas Buzelis isn’t hiding where he wants his NBA story to go. The Bulls forward says Chicago is the only place he can picture himself playing, and he made that clear while speaking on Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady.
“I want to bring them a championship… I can't imagine playing anywhere else, man,” he said.
That kind of loyalty has been there since the beginning. Buzelis said he still remembers the moment the Bulls called his name in 2023, right out of high school, and how much that meant to him and his family.
“But I couldn't believe Chicago when they drafted me like they said my name. I don't know if you guys saw it, but I was crying like crazy.
My whole family was; my little brother was in tears. But to put on the Bulls uniform and represent the city means everything to me.”
Buzelis also tied his path to a bigger purpose, saying, “So I feel like everything's in God's plan for sure,” before explaining why he believes landing in Chicago was meant to be.
“That's why I try to think like God made me drop to 11 and be in Chicago because I remember my agent saying he's like zero shot you go anywhere past eight like or anything past 10 doesn't matter.”
For Buzelis, the attachment to the Bulls has only grown through the constant turnover around him. Even with managerial and coaching changes and teammates being traded, he has stayed locked in on Chicago and says he wants to spend his entire career there.
That belief comes with real momentum, too. In just two seasons, Buzelis has become a fixture in the Bulls’ rotation, known for his highlight-reel dunks and for becoming a focal point on a team still shaping its identity.
The young forward’s résumé is already starting to stack up. He made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2025, was part of the NBA Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend, and last year averaged 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
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Matas Buzelis Sounds Ready For Any Spotlight The Bulls Throw At Him
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He also showed he is not backing away from the spotlight that comes with being outspoken. Buzelis revisited a March game against Luka Doncic, when a back-and-forth with the Dallas star helped turn the night into a showcase for Doncic, who erupted for 51 points. Even after that lesson, Buzelis made it clear he plans to keep testing Doncic the next time their paths cross, which should make their next matchup worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]