Matas Buzelis was selected 11th overall by the Chicago Bulls, and it was a dream come true.
Much has been written about Buzelis’ name and origins, and while most believe he is from Lithuania, he was born in Chicago to immigrant parents. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he carved out his own path in basketball, independent of his parents, who played professional basketball in Europe.
Tears flowed at first, but it didn’t take long for Buzelis to become overwhelmed with emotion. A notoriously deep trash talker, he struggled for words on draft night, instead expressing gratitude to all those who doubted him and pushed him.
The work starts now. Buzelis is athletic, mobile and has the ability to be a powerful wing, but he desperately needs to hone his 3-point shot to take the next step in the NBA. But that can wait until tomorrow, because tonight is all about the emotions of being with the Bulls.
That’s a very cool moment.
