UNC vs. Kentucky; Has a leader emerged for Matas Buzelis?

On3 imageby:Jamie Shaw05/29/22

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Matas Buzelis is the 2023 On3 Consenus No. 13 player. His recruitment is still open, but things are starting to sort themselves out.

“I can do everything on the floor, dribble, shoot, pretty much everything,” Buzelis told On3. “I think my body got better this year; my jump shot has become much more consistent. I play a little like Luke Doncic, Lamelo Ball, guys with size who can dribble and pass it.”

On the first day of Nike’s EYBL session three, Buzelis showed off the playmaking and efficient shot-making going for 15 points and four assists on six of ten shooting in game one. On3 caught up with Matas Buzelis after the game to see where things stood on his recruitment.

“I took junior year official visits to Wake Forest, Florida State, and Kentucky,” Buzelis said. “I don’t have anything else lined up right now.”

Buzelis talks recruitment

Wake Forest: “There is a Lithuanian connection there with one of the coaches on staff. They started recruiting me early my sophomore year, and it has been good talking with them.”

Florida State: “They are huge, just a big team. They have like four seven-footers. They play really good defense, and they play fast with a track record with big skilled guards.”

Kentucky: “It’s just like a basketball hall of fame over there. They have a great coaching staff and development, and they play in the SEC, which is great competition. That was my first college game I went to; the atmosphere was amazing. The fans are amazing there.”

“No one really new has come in lately,” Buzelis said. “UNC has been on me consistently.”

UNC: “I just talked to some of their commits, Simeon Wilcher and GG Jackson, most of the time. But I talk with pretty much every coach on staff, Coach Hubert (Davis) a lot. They played great in the tournament, everyone thought they would be a no show, but they played fast and loose and made plays.”

On playing with GG Jackson

“I think GG and I would fit really well beside one another,” Buzelis said. “We’re both big wings; I can get it to him, and he can shoot it. We can both run the floor and handle and shoot.”

Buzelis’ take

“I want to go somewhere that feels like family,” Buzelis said. “Somewhere, I am comfortable with everything. Development is the most important thing for me. Nobody can stop getting better.”

G-League talk

“They have been in contact with us,” Buzelis said, “But I have not really been able to talk to them much. I am open to talking with them, I am looking at everything right now.”