Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis had an impressive showing at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas earlier this month.
The 11th overall pick has played in all five games, starting four of them. He's had monster dunks in traffic, including two on Saturday. He's stared down opponents. He's cussed. He's played for contact and made 27 free throws.
He clearly needs to get stronger and bulkier to better make contact plays, but the fact that he barely flinched throughout summer league says a lot.
Defensively, Buzelis showed good shot-blocking instincts and a willingness to switch on smaller players on the perimeter. He said his goal is to be a two-way force at the next level. He blocked 10 shots in Summer League.
His impact caught the attention of SB Nation, who ranked him as the third-best rookie out of this year's Summer League.
“Buzelis was considered a lottery pick due to his 6-foot-10 height and offensive ability to play the outfield, but he proved in summer league that while his skills are developing, he can also make an impact with his energy and drive,” wrote SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell.
His two blocks and two steals per game were particularly notable, but his willingness to take three-point shots was also notable, even though he only made 6 of 28 from the field.
“The 19-year-old will struggle with scoring efficiency as a rookie, but his high motor will keep him productive even as his body and shooting stroke develops,” O'Donnell wrote.
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