Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Bouzelis He brings excitement with his versatility and high basketball IQ. At 6-foot-10, he combines size, skill, and athleticism to become a valuable addition to the Bulls’ roster.
Buzelis has a rich basketball heritage. His grandfather, Arvydas JankauskasA former player and coach, his other grandfather Petras BouzelisHe won the Lithuanian league title six times as captain of Zalgiris Kaunas. His grandmother, Elena BouzelienOne of Lithuania’s greatest handball players, winner of the European Champions Cup twice. His mother Kristina JankauskaitėHe stood out in Lithuanian youth basketball and his father Adidas BuzelisHe played in the Lithuanian Basketball League and worked as a massage therapist for the national team.
In an interview with HoopsHype on behalf of Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Buzelis talks about his NBA journey, his pre-draft process, his basketball idols, his goals for the Chicago Bulls, and more.
(During the NBA Summer League in Vegas, Bouzelis, rookies and veteran players participated in a two-minute Call of Duty drill in the War Room suite. Two days later, Bronny James won the $10,000 prize.)
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Matas Bouzelis: It’s really great. Being around NBA players, that’s what I always wanted to do when I was a kid. So now that I’m in the NBA, I’m not going to miss the opportunity to be successful.
MB: I mean, I hit more shots, but that’s the least I’m worried about. Like being in the right position defensively. I’d also say being a better teammate when I’m on the bench. And finding a player who’s better at assists.
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MB: Well, you know, like cheering for other players who are playing. I think I did a good job, but I could have done better. And just standing up and cheering when my teammates come out of the game. I was really tired, and when you’re tired, your brain shuts down a little bit. And sometimes I didn’t stand up and give my teammates a high five, but those are just little things in the game.
MB: I think I can do everything. Rebound, block shots, score. I can pass. Honestly, I think I can do everything on the court.
MB: huh.
Better than Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr?
MB: huh.
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MB: Well, my dad always told me to be humble, but I think I work harder than anyone in this draft class. That’s where my confidence comes from. I’m not one to talk nonsense. I work really hard on my game, so I’m confident in my abilities.
MB: No, dude. It was 0-0. It doesn’t matter where you get drafted, from 1st to 60th, whatever, 58th. Everybody’s in the NBA, and you have to compete with them. You have to see them everywhere you go. It’s just a difference in salary.
MB: It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll play basketball for free.
MB: It’s hard to get people out of Vegas and see teenage boys having fun. It has nothing to do with Ignite. Ignite did an amazing job and I would do it 10 times over. It was the best situation I could have been in. And it’s really hard to get people out of Vegas and see teenage boys having fun.
MB: Yeah, of course. There are some college players who never touch a G League court, unfortunately. And I played with guys who were almost all-stars. Kenneth Farid, lance stevensonAll those guys. And I got some NBA experience.
MB: The way he approaches the game, the way he plays and the fact that he wants to win every game, not just basketball.
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MB: I will go at 1 o’clock. Stephen Curry. Second, I’ll just put it in Anthony Edwards. 3, let’s go together, buddy, at 3 o’clock, I’ll go together…
MB: No, I’m not there yet. But there are too many options at 3. It’s hard. I’ll go with Jalen Brunson at 3. No, I’ll go with Jalen Brunson at 2. At 3, … Anthony EdwardsAnd send me away at four o’clock Kevin Durant. At five o’clock, Nikola Jokic.
MB: maybe BronDunking in Broncos is hard, so if you do it, it’s set in stone.
Call of Duty Black Ops 6
MB: Luckily, I was invited to see a preview of Black Ops 6, so here I am.
MB: It means a lot to me. My brother and I started playing it when we were kids, probably 13 or 14. And now to be part of the Black Ops family, the Call of Duty family, it means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to this game coming out.
